LIBRARY 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

SANTA  BARBARA 

GIFT  OF 
MRS.  BRUCE  C.  HOPPER 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD 
AND    HER   CIRCLE 


J\4rs.  BROOKFIELD 


AND 


HER  CIRCLE 


CHARL  X3KFIELD 


VOLUME  I 

1809 — 1847 


NEW  YORK  :  CHAS.  SCRIBNER'S    SO 
1  53-157  FIFTH  AVENUE 


, 

•a^  bAi  s<v. 


Jane  Octavia  Brook-field 

At  the  age  of  30 
From  the  painting  by  George  Richmond,  R.A 


JVlrs.  BROOKFIELD 


AND 


HER  CIRCLE 


BY 


CHARLES  AND  FRANCES  BROOKFIELD 


VOLUME  I 

1809 — 1847 


NEW  YORK :  CHAS.  SCRIBNER'S    SONS 
153-157  FIFTH  AVENUE 


To  our  Dear  Son, 
PETER  BROOKFIELD, 
these  Records   of  his  Grandparents 
are  Dedicated. 


PREFACE 

We  have  endeavoured  in  arranging  for  publication 
the  letters  printed  in  this  volume  to  let  them  speak 
for  themselves  as  far  as  possible,  being  persuaded 
that  their  style  and  quality  reveal  the  characters  of 
their  writers  and  the  manners  of  the  time — better 
than  any  pot-pourri  made  from  them  could  possibly  do. 

It  was  our  intention  at  first  to  cite  their  authority 
and  to  form  a  book  upon  that,  but  the  charm  of  the 
documents  won  upon  us  to  give  them  out  as  they 
were  written.  They  tell  their  own  tale  so  well,  and 
with  such  singular  and  even  piquant  clearness 
elucidate  current  events  that  there  seems  no  need  for 
apology  for  this  method  of  treatment. 

With  so  large  and  varied  a  correspondence  before  us 
choice  was  difficult,  and  it  was  not  long  before  we  found 
it  impossible,  in  the  limits  at  our  disposal,  to  reach  more 
than  the  inner  ring  of  the  Circle  of  which  Mrs.  Brook- 
field  was  the  centre,  nor  to  take  more  than  a  portion  of 
the  letters  which  deal  with  an  especial  few  of  her 
friends  ;  though  in  this  especial  few  we  venture  to 
think  the  public  as  well  as  ourselves  will  be  interested. 
Next  we  proceeded  to  select  from  these  those  of  lighter 
vein,  but,  now  the  book  is  before  us  as  a  whole,  we 
hope  we  have  not  wronged  their  writers  by  suppressing 

vii 


too  rigorously  the  letters  which  give  the  more  serious 
side  of  their  natures — a  side  they  all  of  them  possessed. 
Their  bright  bavardage,  it  is  true,  occasionally  obscures 
the  affection  that  lurks  beneath  their  words,  but  such 
genial  chatter  must  not  always  be  taken  au  serieux. 

As  letters  they  have  been  singularly  pleasant  to 
deal  with,  most  of  them  being  written  in  the  fairest 
of  handwritings,  while  their  style  the  reader  will  see 
for  himself.  They  have  not  been  chosen  merely  for 
their  felicity  of  expression  nor  for  their  gay  banter  :  in 
all  cases  we  have  given  preference  to  those  that  contain 
some  sequence  either  of  emotions  or  of  events.  The 
quaint  and  variable  spelling  we  have  taken  the  liberty, 
except  when  it  was  likely  to  interfere  with  the  spirit 
or  the  theme  of  the  writer,  to  modify. 

Whenever  the  words,  "  Mrs.  Brookneld  says,  "  occur, 
it  indicates  we  are  quoting  from  some  manuscript  notes 
in  our  possession  written  by  herself  at  a  time  when 
she  thought  of  compiling  a  book  of  Recollections. 

For  permission  to  use,  either  their  own,  or  the 
letters  and  papers  of  their  relatives,  our  grateful  ac- 
knowledgments are  due  to  His  Grace  the  Duke  of 
Rutland,  K.G.,  etc.,  The  Lord  Monteagle,  Sir  Edmund 
Elton,  Bart.,  Henry  Taylor,  Esquire,  Alexander  Carlyle, 
Esquire,  and  the  Miss  Speddings. 

For  the  use  of  pictures  as  well  as  of  letters,  we 
heartily  thank  the  Viscount  Cobham  and  Sir  Henry 
A.  H.  F.  Lennard,  Bart. ;  and  for  sketches  by  Thac- 
keray and  quotations  from  Thackeray's  Letters  Mrs. 
Brookfield,  Messrs.  Smith,  Elder.  For  Tennyson's 
Sonnet  upon  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Brookneld,  we  are 

viii 


indebted  to  Messrs.  Macmillan,  and  to  all  the  above 
we  desire  to  acknowledge  our  indebtedness  for  unfailing 
kindness  and  courtesy. 

The  cases  in  which  we  are  not  able  to  announce  our 
indebtedness  are  those  where  we  have,  after  using  all 
means  in  our  power,  failed  to  trace  the  representatives 
of  the  writers ;  but  these  we  pray  will  extend  to  us 
their  gracious  sanction  when  they  discover  that  in  no 
instance  have  we  entered  into  or  used  family  or  private 
matters  belonging  to  them. 

CHARLES  AND  FRANCES  BROOKFIELD. 

Mitcham, 

21s/  September,  1905. 


CONTENTS 

VOLUME  I 

CHAPTER   I 

The  Brookfields.  William  Henry's  education.  Cambridge. 
Received  by  the  brilliant  set.  Takes  his  degree.  Tutor  to  Hon.  G. 
Lyttelton.  Lord  Spencer's  memories.  Character  of  Thackeray. 
Brougham.  "Remains"  of  Arthur  Hallam.  The  Johnson  Club. 
The  Miss  Berrys.  Leaves  Hagley.  Holy  Orders.  At  South- 
ampton. Tennyson's  MS.  1-26 

CHAPTER   II 

The  Eltons.  Sir  Charles.  Lander's  Letter  to  Southey.  The 
Hallams.  Anecdote  of  Arthur  Hallam.  Princess  Victoria.  The 
Bristol  Riots.  Jane  Elton's  education.  Her  home  life.  Walter 
Savage  Landor.  Death  of  Ellen  Hallam.  At  Southampton. 
Meets  Mr.  Brookfield.  Beauty  and  charm.  Engagement.  27-63 

CHAPTER   III 

Family  skeletons.  Tearing  off  a  Knocker.  A  complacent  lady. 
A  diplomatic  act.  A  speech  by  Brougham.  Monckton  Milnes' 
kindness.  A  breakfast  with  Rogers.  The  Prince  Consort.  Alfred 
Tennyson.  First  meeting  with  Carlyle.  The  Duke  of  Cambridge. 
"  Humphrey's  Clock."  Henley  Regatta.  Sterling  Club.  Emily 
Tennyson's  marriage.  Dr.  Pusey.  Wedding  Bells.  64-111 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER   IV 

Marriage.  Introduction  to  London.  Clevedon.  Tunbridge 
Wells.  Emily  Tennyson.  Mrs.  Brookfield's  Humour.  A  Present 
from  Thackeray.  Sydney  Smith.  At  Mr.  Gladstone's.  Rhyming 
Invitation  from  Thackeray.  Rogers'  Breakfasts.  The  Wreck  of 
an  Illusion.  Noble  young  Philanthropists.  Chaunts.  "  Rever- 
ence." The  Artists'  Dinner.  Dickens.  Lord  Palmerston's  Blunder. 
Archdeacon  Manning.  The  Dean's  Robe.  Historical  Tendencies. 

112-142 

CHAPTER  V 

"  The  Set."  A  Birthday  Party.  Compliments  from  Rogers. 
London  Library.  Party  at  the  Procters'.  Moxon  and  Alfred 
Tennyson.  Rogers'  Kindness.  Wordsworth's  presentation  to  the 
Queen.  A  Walk.  Gladstone.  Kinglake  and  Eothen.  A  Country 
Visit.  Aubrey  de  Vere.  Harry  Hallam.  A  Dinner.  Barry  Corn- 
wall's Hospitality.  A  Sermon.  Mrs.  Procter  and  Mrs.  Brookfield. 
Hallam  and  the  Parrot.  Accident  to  Thackeray.  Father  Prout. 
Mrs.  Norton.  With  Thackeray  at  Brighton.  Tennyson's  Pension. 

143-181 

CHAPTER   VI 

Travelling  with  the  Hallams.  Travesty  of  a  Sermon  by  Wilber- 
force.  Peel.  Dinners  at  Kensington  with  Titmarsh.  Blunder  in 
Punch.  Carlyle's  Humour.  Forster  and  Dickens.  Rogers. 
Wilberforce's  Speech  on  the  Sugar  Bill  humorously  considered. 
Harry  Hallam.  Moxon  and  Tennyson.  Dinner  at  the  Garrick. 
Rules  for  Writing  Abroad.  A  Fair  Objector.  A  Preaching  Mission 
for  the  S.P.G.  Browning's  Marriage.  Tennyson's  Hair.  182-201 

CHAPTER  VII 

Lady  Duff-Gordon.  An  unique  Dinner  Party.  Mrs.  Norton. 
Count  D'Orsay.  Living  under  the  Church.  Mrs.  Wigan.  Mrs. 
Carlyle.  Cambridge.  The  "  Cave."  Reading  Shakespeare.  In- 
stallation of  the  Prince  Consort  as  Chancellor.  "  Clever  Men." 
A  Criticism  on  Vanity  Fair.  "  Pride  of  Intellect."  Price  of  Votes. 
Dr.  Thompson.  Charles  Tennyson.  "  Amelia  "  and  Mrs.  Brook- 
field.  Miss  Cushman.  Lady  Duff-Gordon's  Offer.  Criticism  on 
"  Dombey."  "  Frank  Whitestock."  Tennyson.  202-261 


CONTENTS 

VOLUME  II 
CHAPTER   VIII 

Belvoir  Castle.  Louis  XVIII.  Inspectorship.  Henry  Hallam. 
Thackeray's  thoughtfulness.  Thackeray  at  Clevedon  Court. 
Charles  Buller.  Friendship.  Fredk.  Maurice.  Mrs.  Thackeray. 
The  Brookfields  at  Cambridge.  Charlotte  Wynn.  "  Cook's  Folly." 
The  Ashburtons.  Harrison  Ainsworth.  Thackeray's  illness. 
Charlotte  Bronte.  263-305 

CHAPTER  IX 

Attacks  on  Thackeray.  Ceremony  at  St.  Barnabas'.  Harry 
Hallam.  Clerical  Flirtations.  Virginia  Pattle's  tears.  Kate  Perry. 
Tennyson's  "  In  Memoriam."  Thackeray  and  the  Penitentiary. 
The  Ashburtons  and  Thackeray.  At  the  Grange.  Death  of  Harry 
Hallam.  His  funeral  at  Clevedon.  306-342 

CHAPTER  X 

Mr.  Thackeray's  joke.  Edward  FitzGerald.  Thackeray's 
Lectures.  Hallam  and  Mrs.  Norton.  Charlotte  Bronte.  A  Party 
at  Mrs.  Procter's.  Tennyson  at  home.  Mr.  Brookfield's  health. 
Departure  for  Madeira.  343-367 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  XI 

Lord  Palmerston's  dismissal.  Tennyson's  Patriotism.  Death  of 
Miss  Agnes  Berry.  Louis  Napoleon.  An  elopement.  Hallam  and 
Macaulay.  In  Seville.  Christmas  Day  with  the  Carlyles.  A  walk 
with  Carlyle.  Some  anecdotes.  Mrs.  Beecher  Stowe.  At  the 
Grange.  An  Inspection.  Carlyle  and  Wilberforce.  368-401 

CHAPTER   XII 

Knowledge  of  Common  Things.  A  canard  concerning  Tennyson. 
The  White  Cottage.  Travellers'  tales.  Dicky  Doyle.  Lady  Ash- 
burton  and  George  Venables.  Loch  Luichart.  Lady  Byron. 
Smoking.  Mrs.  Carlyle's  anecdotes.  Twelfth  Day  at  the  Grange. 
Kinglake.  Monckton  Milnes.  In  Scotland.  Christmas  at  the 
Grange.  Mrs.  Carlyle.  Tennyson's  Maud.  Guests  at  the 
Grange.  Carlyle.  "  Lady  A's.  Printers."  Lord  Shaftesbury's 
Orthodoxy.  Society  at  Nice.  402-447 

CHAPTER   XIII 

At  Nice.  FitzGerald's  wife.  Mrs.  Carlyle  and  Mrs.  Procter. 
Death  of  Harriet,  Lady  Ashburton.  Mrs.  Norton  and  Mrs.  Brook- 
field.  Mr.  Brookfield's  Reports.  Lear.  Highland  Life.  Landseer. 
Balmoral  and  the  young  Princes.  Death  of  Hallam.  Tennyson's 
success.  A  visit  to  Monckton  Milnes.  448-492 


CHAPTER  XIV 

The  living  of  Somerby.  A  candid  friend.  Sermon  on  the  death 
of  the  Prince  Consort.  Death  of  Thackeray.  Praise  from  Queen 
Victoria.  Memories  of  Lord  Macaulay.  Mrs.  Cameron.  A  Last 
Glimpse  of  Carlyle.  Mrs.  Brookfield's  books.  A  dinner  with  Queen 
Victoria.  The  Canonry  of  Ealdland.  Somerby.  William  Henry 
Brookfield.  Mrs.  Brookfield's  Closing  Years.  493-539 


Index  541-554 


a    a 

JANE  OCTAVIA  BROOKFIELD  at  the  age  of  Thirty.    (From  the 

painting  by  George  Richmond,  R.A.)  Frontispiece  Vol.  I 

Facing  page 

WILLIAM  HENRY  BROOKFIELD  at  the  age  of  Twenty-Three. .       16 

ARTHUR  HALLAM  at  the  age  of  Sixteen.     (From  a  painting  at 

Wickham  Court)        . .         . .          . .         . .         . .         . .       30 

THOMAS  CARLYLE.    (From  the  drawing  by  D.  Maclise,  R.A.)        88 

GEORGE,  FOURTH  LORD  LYTTELTON.    (From  a  crayon  drawing 

by  George  Richmond,  R.A.)  ..         ..         ..         ..         ..     130 

MRS.  CARLYLE.     (From  a  water  colour  by  C.  Hartmann)      . .     158 
LORD    TENNYSON.    (From  a  photograph  by  Mrs.  Cameron)     182 

HENRY  FITZMAURICE  HALLAM  at  the  age  of  Twenty-Two. 

(From  the  painting  by  George  Richmond,  R.A.)     . .         . .     228 

DRAWING  ON  A  WOOD  BLOCK  OF  MR.  AND  MRS.  BROOKFIELD. 

(By  Thackeray)          256 

THE  REV.  WILLIAM  HENRY  BROOKFIELD  at  the  age  of  Forty. 

(From  the  painting  by  Samuel  Laurence)    Frontispiece  Vol.  II 

WILLIAM  MAKEPEACE  THACKERAY       276 

MRS.  BROOKFIELD.    (After  a  Drawing  by  Thackeray)  . .         . .     306 

HARRIET,  LADY  ASHBURTON.    (From  an  engraving  by  W. 

Holl) 322 

LORD  ASHBURTON.     (From  a  photograph  by  /.  Moffat)         . .     366 

RICHARD    MONCKTON    MILNES,    M.P.        (Afterwards    Lord 

Houghton).    At  the  age  of  Twenty-Two 416 

MRS.  BROOKFIELD  and  her  elder  son  Arthur  (CoL.  BROOK- 
FIELD.     (From  a  water  colour  by  Ludovici  about  1856)  . .     452 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 


CHAPTER  I 

The  Brookfields.  William  Henry's  education.  Cambridge. 
Received  by  the  brilliant  set.  Takes  his  degree.  Tutor  to  Hon.  G. 
Lyttelton.  Lord  Spencer's  memories.  Character  of  Thackeray. 
Brougham.  Remains  of  Arthur  Hallam.  The  Johnson  Club. 
The  Miss  Berrys.  Leaves  Hagley.  Holy  Orders.  At  South- 
ampton. Tennyson's  MS. 

William  Henry  Brookfield  was  born  at  Sheffield, 
August  31st,  1809.  He  was  the  second  son  of  Charles 
Brookfield,  a  solicitor  well  known  and  greatly  re- 
spected in  that  town  and  neighbourhood.  His  mother 
was  a  lady  of  unusual  culture  and  intelligence,  the 
daughter  of  the  Rev.  M.  Preston,  of  the  old  Sheffield 
Parish  Church. 

He  was  one  of  a  large  family,  most  of  whom  possessed 
wit  of  a  superior  quality,  though  brought  up  in  an 
atmosphere  of  Puritanism  that  was  perhaps  strict  and 
rigid  even  for  those  days. 

William  Henry  gave  early  evidence  of  a  great 
versatility  of  talents.  He  was  educated  first  by  a 
clergyman  at  Cleckheaton,  and  later  at  the  Grammar 
school  at  Leeds.  Until  his  sixteenth  year  he  was 
intended  for  the  Church,  but  at  that  period  it  was 
decided  he  should  go  to  the  Bar;  and  with  that  inten- 
tion he  was  articled  to  a  solicitor  in  Leeds  in  order  to 

i 

2— (2309) 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

gain  practical  experience  of  the  working  of  the  Law. 
But  life  in  an  office  was  in  no  way  suited  to  his  tem- 
perament— instead  of  reading  "Coke"  he  wrote  poetry; 
he  yearned  for  a  "  literary  life "  and  made  many 
pathetic  appeals  to  his  parents  to  permit  him  to  go 
to  Cambridge.  A  struggle  ensued — but  ultimately 
he  gained  his  point,  and,  after  studying  for  a  year 
or  so  with  private  tutors,  he  went  up  to  Trinity  College 
in  1829. 

His  mother  writing  to  her  brother  on  that  occasion 
says  : 

"  The  fondly  cherished  remembrance  of  our  dear 
sainted  Father  and  Mother  should  bind  us  the  closer 
to  each  other.  You  cannot  think  how  I  miss  them, 
just  now,  but  you  can  both  think  and  feel  how  I  miss 
them  on  William's  removal  to  Cambridge — how  much 
they  would  have  felt  interested  for  him,  and  how 
fervently  they  would  have  prayed  that  he  might  be 
able  to  escape  the  snares  with  which  he  will  be  sur- 
rounded. I  feel  more  than  I  can  express  my  dear 
Brother's  kindness  in  going  over  to  see  him  fixed,  and 
to  introduce  him  to  some  of  his  own  valuable  friends. 
I  cannot  but  hope  it  will  be  a  check  to  his  forming  other 
acquaintance  incompatible  with  that  of  the  excellent 
men  who  seem  disposed  to  countenance  him.  He  has  lost 
time  at  Mr.  Hemmingway's,  (where  he  was  articled) 
which  I  suppose  can  never  be  made  up  to  him — but 
if  he  has  resolution  to  keep  out  of  gay  company,  I 
hope  he  may  acquit  himself  respectably." 

She  did  not  foresee  that  he  would  at  once  be  ad- 
mitted into  the  most  brilliant  society  of  that  most 

2 


CAMBRIDGE  FRESHMAN 

brilliant  time,  indeed,  had  she  been  so  enlightened, 
she  would  probably  have  prayed  he  might  be  kept  in 
more  conventional  paths.  And  that  he  did  not,  in  spite 
of  his  new  circumstances,  at  once  lose  the  awe  he  had 
of  his  own  family — is  proved  by  a  letter  to  an  uncle. 

"  I  suppose  that  every  Freshman  is  asked  how  he  likes 
the  University,  and  if  all  answered  with  me,  Cambridge 
would  have  a  very  good  report.  I  might  amuse  my- 
self by  giving  you  some  account  of  the  habits  of  the 
place — but  I  remember  you  must  already  know  all 
that  can  be  interesting  to  you.  The  individual 
eccentricities  of  the  very  young  men  (quorum  unus) 
are  too  idle  for  your  notice,  or  the  nobler  peculiarities 
of  the  Institution  generally  I  should  think  you  are 
better  acquainted  with  than  myself.  In  writing  to 
one  already  cognoscent  in  University  affairs,  I  am 
driven  from  the  Freshman's  favourite  topic,  and  must 
seek  in  this  fact  an  apology  for  a  dull  letter." 

That  his  letters  to  his  family  were  somewhat  stilted 
at  that  time  is  no  proof  that  he  was  dull  himself.  The 
letter-writer  has  in  every  age  had  more  ease  with 
strangers  than  with  his  own  people  ;  and  from  Mr. 
Brookfield's  entrance  into  Cambridge  there  is  no  doubt 
but  that  he  was  gay,  happy,  and  satisfied. 

Admitted  at  once  and  apparently  for  the  sake  of 
his  own  charm  into  the  inmost  ring  of  the  circle  of 
which  Thackeray,  Tennyson,  Arthur  Hallam,  King- 
lake,  Venables,  Milnes,  etc.,  were  shining  lights,  he 
there  held  his  own — and  formed  with  those  giants 
friendships  which  lasted  their  lives  and  his  own. 

He  worked  well,  too — as,  by  the  way,  they  all  did 

3 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

in  those  days  ;  and  he  took  his  degree,  as  well  as  the 
Oration  Prize  in  '32  ;  while  '33  found  him  remaining 
in  Cambridge  for  the  benefit  of  some  pupils  he  had 
taken.  It  was  Whewell  who  in  '34  recommended 
him  as  resident  tutor  to  the  eldest  son  of  Lord  Lyttelton 
— for  the  six  months  between  Eton  and  Cambridge — 
and  it  is  from  this  time  we  find  his  diaries  kept 
with  regularity,  and  his  letters  of  ever  increasing 
interest. 

At  Hagley,  he  was  well  received  and  well  treated, 
and  his  pupil  became  at  once  to  him,  not  only  a  pleasant 
companion,  but  a  close  friend.  While  here  he  conti- 
nued the  diary  keeping  begun  in  his  early  youth,  and 
we  get  soon  after  his  arrival : — 

[Diary.]    May  2nd,  1834.     Hagley/  * 

My  father's  birthday.  Wrote  to  him  enclosing 
notes  to  Mrs.  Overend — my  brother  Charles,  and  to 
Thackeray.  Franked  by  Ld.  L. 

At  the  Sunday  school  fete,  of  that  kind  which  one 
affirms  at  the  time  to  have  been  "  one  of  the  prettiest 
sights  in  the  world,"  Lord  Lyttelton  pointed  out  to 
me  an  old  Laundress  bringing  in  a  pudding,  as  he  said, 
but  for  my  part  I  could  not  tell  which  was  which.  He 
said  he  had  danced  with  her  at  a  ball  the  year  before, 
I  think  on  the  occasion  of  her  having  been  fifty  years 
in  the  family.  He  also  told  me  that  Hawkins  Brown, 
who  had  been  cured  of  stammering,  managed  to  get 
through  a  sentence  in  a  speech  by  singing  it  to  a  certain 
tune.  If  the  sentence  happened  to  be  finished  a  few 
bars  before  the  end  of  the  melody  still  he  went  through 

4 


'  WITHOUT  VANITY ' 

the  latter  in  order  to  start  fair  with  the  ensuing  sen- 
tence. The  effect  in  the  Commons  was  most  ludicrous, 
and  some  wag  one  day  echoed  the  dying  strain.  Sheri- 
dan called  him  in  the  House — "  his  melodious  friend." 

At  dinner  my  lord  asked  if  I  knew  anything  of  Mont- 
gomery, and  spoke  in  complimentary  terms  of  him, 
they  had  corresponded  on  the  subject  of  lotteries. 
He  was  surprised  to  hear  of  his  having  been  impri- 
soned for  political  offences.  He  enquired  into  whose 
hands  The  Iris  had  now  fallen.  I  answered  that  it 
had  become  a  low  "Buckingham"  paper.  "Ah," 
said  he — "  I  will  give  you  a  fact  about  Buckingham. 
Some  years  ago,  he  had  the  assurance  to  propose  that 
a  ship  should  be  provided  and  manned  for  him  to  in- 
vestigate the  world.  Now,  how  George  John,  Earl 
Spencer,  a  man  clever-headed  enough  on  most  sub- 
jects, and  possessing  his  faculties  in  the  most  perfect 
soundness  should  have  subscribed  £5  to  this  scheme 
is  a  problem  which  I  cannot  solve — so  however,  he  did 
— which  plunder  Mr.  Buckingham  pocketed  with  many 
other  similar  sums,  and  thence  returned  no  more." 

Of  things  heard  at  dinner  at  this  time  Mr.  Brookfield 
notes,  that  George  Spencer  had  been  used  to  say, 
"  when  anybody  uses  the  phrase  '  without  vanity ' 
you  must  invariably  understand  the  contrary." 
While  Lady  Lyttelton  spoke  of  that  gentleman  as  using 
a  fly  from  Leamington  to  Althorp  in  great  niggardliness, 
on  Wesley's  maxim,  "  Earn  all,  save  all,  and  give 
all  you  can." 

8th.  Lord  Spencer  arrived  to  dinner.  Talking 
of  the  many  drops  of  colchicum  the  Duchess  of 

5 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

B had  once  taken — he  said,  "  There  are  cer- 
tain drops  on  His  Majesty's  jails  that  would  do  her 
much  more  good/' 

9th.  Lord  Spencer  mentioned  at  dinner  that  Sir 
H.  Halford  had  spouted  to  him  the  Duke  of  Welling- 
ton's Latin  speech  to  the  University  of  Oxford  with 
so  much  energy  and  gesture  that  his  lordship  said 
"  Come,  that  must  be  your  own."  Sir  Henry  answered 
with  an  affirmative  shrug. 

Lord  Spencer  also  spoke  of  Eldon  as  having  answered 
Brougham's  enquiry  as  to  Stowell's  health  in  the 
Lords  one  day  by  saying  "  Oh,  he  was  quite  gone — 
no  faculties  left  " — etc.  A  few  days  after  some  Bill 
was  before  the  Lords  in  opposition  to  which  Eldon 
was  saying  that  he  had  to  offer  the  authority  of  one 
of  unquestionable  judgment,  whose  opinion  their 
lordships  would  hold  in  the  highest  esteem,  and  other- 
wise spoke  in  a  manner,  evidently  alluding  to  Lord 
Stowell,  against  the  Bill  before  the  House.  This 
anecdote  of  deliberate  and  roguish  impudence, 
Brougham  told  himself  to  Lord  Spencer. 

He  also  told  us  that  Bozzy  (Boswell)  used  generally 
to  come  to  the  Johnson  Club  half  drunk,  and  was 
loud  and  over-bearing  in  his  conversation,  and  that 
he  talked  chiefly  of  Johnson. 

To  his  brother  Charles,  who  was  living  in  London, 
Mr.  Brookfield  wrote  : 

HAGLEY, 

nth  May,    1834. 
My  dear  Charles, 

I  was  very  happy  in  receiving  your  letter,  which  I 

6 


'  THE  ECHO  OF  THE  COURT ' 

had  thought  very  long  in  coming,  but  confess  that  I 
had  no  right  to  complain.  Do  not  allow  yourself 
a  moment's  annoyance  about  not  having  had  a  man- 
darin nodding  bout  from  Thackeray's  mother.  What 
with  short  sight,  short  memory,  and  ignorance  whether 
one  is  expected  to  move  or  not,  out  of  ten  "  cuts  " — 
not  two  have  a  drop  of  the  sour  milk  of  human  un- 
kindness  in  them.  For  Thackeray  himself,  he  may 
or  may  not  call — but  in  any  case  is  a  man  utterly 
incapable  of  entertaining  a  moment's  feeling  towards 
any  being  -on  earth,  which  should  give  pain.  I  only 
asked  him  to  call  as  a  spontaneous  wish  of  my  own, 
and  it  is  not  yet  long  since  it  was  expressed.  You 
must  learn  not  to  confound  negative  and  positive 
neglects. 

21s*. 

At  breakfast  the  story  of  Norbury  saying  as  the  ass 
brayed  whilst  a  barrister  was  addressing  the  Court 
"  One  at  a  time,  if  you  please  "  to  which  the  barrister 
retorted  when  his  lordship  was  interrupted  by  the 
same  nuisance.  "It  is  only  the  echo  of  the  Court, 
my  lord."  Started  at  quarter  to  ten  for  Althorp. 
In  the  coach  and  four,  Lord  and  Lady  and  Miss  Lyttel- 
ton  and  myself.  Outside  George  L.,  and  a  servant. 
In  the  carriage  and  pair,  Miss  L.  L.,  Mademoiselle 
and  a  lady's  maid.  Arrived  there  at  half-past  four. 
At  six  dined.  Lord  Spencer  said  that  a  deer  had  died 
in  the  stall  while  being  fed  up — most  likely  of  repletion. 
Lord  L.  remarked  it  was  not  the  first  time  that  an  indi- 
vidual presented  to  a  stall  had  died  of  apoplexy. 
Lord  Spencer  stated  he  had  commissioned  somebody 
at  a  late  sale  to  bid  for  the  first  edition  of  Joe  Miller, 

7 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

but  had  not  succeeded  in  being  the  purchaser.  It 
was  remarked  how  waggish  an  edition  would  be  with 
Sam  Rogers'  notes,  and  how  vexed  Sam  would  be  at 
such  a  joke  ;  which  led  to  his  antipathy  to  Croker 
(Bull  Croker,  alias  Bull  Frog).  Lord  L.  said  that  he 
had  once  said  to  Grattan  (one  of  the  present  Grattans) 
how  monopolizing  Croker  was  of  attention  in  company, 
as  for  instance  at  a  dinner  to  Scott  in  London,  when 
he  would  let  nobody  speak  but  himself.  "  Sir/' 
said  Grattan,  "  I  don't  know  anyone  of  so  much  assur- 
ance on  either  side  of  the  wather." 

On  the  24th,  he  writes  to  his  mother  from  Althorp  : 
Althorp  is  not  a  fine  external  house,  but  is  remark- 
able for  its  library  and  picture  gallery.  The  former, 
the  largest  private  library  in  Great  Britain,  50,000 
volumes  and  upwards,  the  latter  with  about  400 
pictures,  many  of  which  are  excellent  and  rare.  I  am 
in  the  room  which  was  Mr.  George  Spencer's,*  I  don't 
know  whether  it  contains  any  Roman  Catholic 
influences  or  not.  I  am  glad  you  enquire  about  Lady 
Lyttelton,f  she  is  a  person  about  whom  it  is  agreeable 
to  answer.  I  at  first  respected  her  more  than  I  liked 
her — I  hope  this  state  of  things  will  never  be  reversed, 
but  I  very  soon  learned  to  like  her  as  much  as  respect 
her.  She  is  a  most  excellent  person  ;  of  quick  and 
well-informed  mind,  and  I  believe  of  the  soundest 
principles.  She  is  high-bred  and  dignified  without 
any  discolouring  of  pride  or  affectation.  She  keeps 

*  The  Hon.  George  Spencer,  who  became  a  Catholic  in  1830, 
and  a  priest  in  1832. 

t  Sarah,  Lady  Lyttelton,  daughter  of  Lord  Spencer,  afterwards 
governess  to  the  Princess  Royal  and  Prince  of  Wales. 

8 


TABLE  TALK  AT  ALTHORP 

all  the  accounts  of  the  family  disbursements— rises 
at  six,  and  spends  the  whole  day  usefully. 

June  Uth,  1834. 

At  dinner  they  mentioned  the  King's  aptitude  to 
ask  people  to  dinner  unceremoniously.  Lord  L.  said 
he  had  shot  an  invite  at  Sir  Charles  Bagot  as  he  was 
passing  at  levee — "  Sir  Charles  you  dine  with  me 
to-day/' — and  alluded  to  his  having  in  the  early  days 
of  his  reign  used  the  popular  expression  "  if  you  are 
not  better  engaged."  I  remember  when  I  heard  this 
at  home  I  did  not  believe  it. 

They  spoke  of  Sugden.  Lord  L.  said  he  had  had 
his  hair  cut  by  Sugden's  father,  who  was  the  crack 
five  shilling  cutter  of  his  day.  He  used  to  speak  of 
having  sent  his  son  to  Lincoln's  Inn  ;  and  Lord  Spencer 
said  that  he  had  by  him  a  note  which  Lord  Eldon, 
when  Chancellor,  had  once  sent  him  across  the  table 
during  an  appeal  in  the  Lords,  "  the  man  who  is 
speaking  is  the  son  of  a  Super  Barber." 

Such  wretched  seamen  are  the  Neapolitans  that  it 
seems  when  some  English  captain  or  other  was  leaving 
Naples  for  a  cruise  in  the  Mediterranean,  King  Ferdi- 
nand blessed  him  as  one  he  should  never  see  more. 
This  led  to  speaking  of  the  superstition  of  Ferdinand. 
Lord  Spencer  has  now  a  bittern's  claw,  presented  him 
by  Ferdinand  when  he  was  there,  to  wear  as  a  charm 
when  out  shooting.  He  himself  always  wore  one. 
Lord  Spencer  had  it  set  in  a  little  golden  locket  and 
always  wore  it  when  out  with  the  King. 

This  evening  Lord  Essex  dined  at  Althorp.     He 

9 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

is  just  like  other  folks.  Captain  Spencer  arrived 
after  dinner  from  town.  They  spoke,  after  coffee, 
of  the  letters  Wateley  quoted  lately  on  the  Finsbury 
Hustings  between  Lord  Althorp  and  Brougham,  of 
which  Captain  Spencer  gave  the  following  account, 
having  received  it  from  Lord  Althorp  : — The  other 
day  Lord  A.,  being  ill,  wrote  a  short  note  to  B.  asking 
him  to  call  on  him  to  speak  on  the  subject  of  some 
newspaper  opposition,  which  Lord  Brougham  received 
in  Court  and  replied  begging  to  know  on  what  subject 
Lord  A.  wanted  to  speak,  that  he  might  roll  it  over 
in  his  mind  before  meeting,  as  he  should  not  be  able  to 
see  him  for  more  than  a  few  moments  when  the  Court 
broke  up.  To  which  Lord  A.  replied  by  one  of  the 
notes  quoted.  "  Shall  we  make  war  on  the  Times  or 
let  it  alone  ?  "  These  two  notes  were  carelessly  torn 
up  by  Brougham,  and  at  the  rising  of  the  Court  there 
was  the  usual  rush  "  for  autographs  " — as  they  say — 
and  these  notes  were  put  together  and  carried  to  the 
Times  office.  The  Times  was  "  fine,"  and  declined 
having  anything  to  do  with  the  notes ;  on  which  the 
bearer  carried  them  to  Mr.  Wateley,  who  made  the 
use  of  them  alluded  to.  "  Strange "  said  Captain 
Spencer,  "  that  Lord  Brougham  should  fall  into  a 
scrape  of  this  kind,  having  himself  been  near  suffering 
from  the  like  carelessness  on  Lord  Althorp's  part." 
The  former  once  wrote  a  letter  or  two  of  much  im- 
port, Captain  Spencer  forgets  on  what  subject,  to 
Lord  Althorp.  The  latter  tore  them  carelessly  and 
threw  them,  according  to  custom,  into  his  basket. 
They  were  pasted  together  by  some  painstaking  lump 

10 


A  VISIT  TO  LONDON 

of  honesty,  and  it  was  announced  by  the  individual 
to  some  one  of  the  Ministers,  that  he  had  important 
papers  in  his  possession.  This  was  treated  with  con- 
tempt until  the  person  was  sent  for  who  produced 
Brougham's  letters,  who  stormed  and  said,  "  So  much 
for  Baskets."  Lord  Spencer  said  that  when  he  was 
in  the  Admiralty,  never  was  a  scrap  of  public  business 
destroyed,  and  there  they  all  are  now. 

During  this  visit  to  Althorp  the  family  made  an 
excursion  to  London,  to  Spencer  house,  on  which  occa- 
sion Mr.  Brookfield  met  many  of  his  Cambridge  friends ; 
he  seems  to  have  done  the  town  with  Charles 
Buller,  and  to  have  been  much  with  Spedding  as  well 
as  Alfred  and  Frederick  Tennyson. 

[Diary.]     July  1th. 

Came  from  Althorp  to  Hagley  in  the  same  travelling 
order  as  before.  I  went  outside  for  one  stage.  Some- 
body said  that  the  carriage  without  luggage  weighed 
22  cwt. — with — 3  tons,  and  that  the  four  coach-horses 
Lord  Spencer  uses  are  jobbed  at  £72  a  pair  per  annum  ; 
he  keeping  them. 

While  at  Spencer  House  he  had  received  a  precious 
packet  containing  "  The  Remains  of  Arthur  Hallam," 
about  which  he  wrote  to  Mr.  Hallam. 

Sir, 

I  shall  always  feel  myself  very  much  indebted  to  your 
considerate  kindness  in  sending  me  the  volume  which 
I  received  a  day  or  two  ago.  It  is  needless  to  say  how 
highly  I  shall  ever  prize  so  appropriate  and  delightful 
a  memorial  of  the  dearest  friend  I  ever  had.  During 

ii 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

the  last  year  of  his  residence  at  College  our  intimacy 
was  one  of  the  most  unreserved  confidence,  and  though 
I  was  the  familiar  repository  of,  I  believe,  his  most 
secret  thoughts,  such  was  the  excellent  purity  of  his 
mind  that  death  itself  could  do  little  to  enhance  the 
sacredness  of  the  affection  with  which  I  regarded  his 
character,  and  now  revere  his  memory. 

I  feel  what  I  have  lost  in  him  and  though  the  first 
bitterness  of  that  loss  is  past,  I  know  that  the  more 
quiet  regret  to  which  it  has  given  place  must  ever  con- 
tinue.* 

I  am  afraid  to  write  the  little  I  am  writing  for  I  am 
afraid  to  disturb  by  aggravating  your  grief  ;  but  I  am 
sure  you  will  forgive  me,  if  I  cannot  be  quite  silent 
about  one  of  whom  you  have  yourself  recognised  I 
was  a  friend. 

And  I  am  also  sure  that  I  cannot  serve  the  memory  of 
him  that  is  gone  better  than  by  imploring  for  you 
every  comfort  under  your  sore  bereavement,  that  the 
well  being  of  the  surviving  members  of  your  family 
can  supply. 

I  am,  Sir,  with  great  respect, 

Your  obliged  and  faithful  servant, 

W.  H.  B. 

Lord  Lyttelton  desires  me  to  send  his  kindest 
remembrances. 

9th,  1834.     Hagley. 

Sent  the  above  franked  by  Lord  L.  to  Mr.  Hallam, 
67  Wimpole  Street. 

nth. 

It  was  mentioned  at  dinner  by  Lady  L.  how  she 

*  On  the  15th  September  that  year  he  writes  in  his  diary,  "  The 
anniversary,  I  think,  of  dear  Hallam's  death."  Only  that  one  line. 

12 


" ORDER "  IN  THE  COMMONS 

had  danced  with  Speaker  Sutton  (then  young)  at  Lady 
Scott's  (since  Lady  Stowell)  "  on  that  occasion,"  said 
she,  "  I  and  my  mother  were  the  first  people  of  any 
rank  that  entered  the  room — there  were  plenty  of  other 
people  there.  Lady  Scott,  who  was  a  very  odd 
woman,  came  up  to  me  and  said  in  a  very  loud  whisper: 
"  Will  you  let  me  introduce  to  you  Mr.  Manners  Sutton, 
son  of  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  ?  I  am  expect- 
ing several  young  men  of  very  high  rank  presently." 

Lord  L.  related  how  one  day  in  the  Commons  he 
got  behind  the  Speaker's  (Abbot's)  chair,  and,  as  he 
could  imitate  him  very  well,  he  put  his  face  over  the  chair 
and  cried  out  like  Abbot,  "  Order,  Order,"  and  imme- 
diately turned  with  his  head  close  up  against  that  of 
the  chair  ;  he  immediately  saw  the  flaps  of  the  Speaker's 
wig  leaping  round  the  sides  of  the  chair,  first  one 
side,  then  t'other,  and  the  ubiquitous  "  Order,  Order." — 

It  was  said  at  table  (by  W.  H.  B.). 

"  Why  do  they  not  sometimes,  by  way  of  doing  a 
man  great  honour,   bury  him  alive  in  Westminster 
Abbey." 
19th. 

Lady  L.  at  breakfast  told  me  about  Lady  H.  She 
married  first  Sir  G.,  and  when  in  Italy  became  too 
much  attached  to  Lord  H.,  in  consequence  of  which 
she  was  afterwards  divorced.  In  order  to  secure  to 
herself  her  young  daughter  (when  she  knew  she  should 
be  divorced)  she  played  the  farce  of  isolating  her 
child,  saying  it  had  a  putrid  fever — and  of  which  she 
reported  it  to  die — and  buried  a  kid  in  pretence  for 
it,  and  provided  almost  legal  evidence  of  its  death. 

13 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

When  the  news  reached  Sir  G.  he  was  heartbroken 
and  one  thing  or  another  so  afflicted  him  that  he  shot 
himself. 

She  is  terribly  afraid  of  death  (it  was  the  tolling  of 
the  funeral  bell  for  Mrs.  Madley's  infant  that  intro- 
duced the  conversation)  and  never  will  be  alone. 
Lord  Essex  remarked  to  Lady  L.  that  he  could  not 
ask  Lady  H.  because  it  was  not  easy  to  get  ladies  to 
meet  her,  and  she  could  not  leave  table  after  dinner 
to  sit  alone.  She  talks  infidelity,  and  at  fifteen 
Gibbon  said  of  her  he  had  seen  as  pretty  a  little  Atheist 
as  could  be  seen.  She  cut  with  Lord  K.  (who  is  a 
coarse  fellow)  because  he  would  talk  of  "  John 
Thrust  out  "  as  he  called  death. 

To  his  father  Mr.  Brookfield  wrote  about  this  time, 
telling  him  he  thought  he  might  adapt  the  latter  part 
of  Falstaff s  speech  to  himself.  "  I  am  the  cause 
of  wit  in  others." 

23rd. 

Much  talk  last  night  and  to-day  with  Mr.  George 
Spencer.  He  is  an  honest,  kind  and  single  minded 
man.  How  truly  he  said  that  Humility  and  Charity 
made  the  real  gentleman.  He  talked  drolly  of  economy 
when  I  praised  the  sensible  cut  of  an  old  great  coat 
which  he  was  wearing — and  he  replied  that  it  was  for 
economy  that  he  wore  it — and  instanced  people's 
false  replies  on  such  occasions,  by  that  generally 
given  as  to  travelling  in  or  out  of  coaches.  He  said 
how  he  once  carried  his  own  bag  from  somewhere 
where  he  had^slept  in  Northampton  to  the  station, 


A  GLIMPSE  OF  TENNYSON 

they  heard  of  it  at  Althorp  and  bullied  him  ; — he  re- 
plied he  had  done  it  at  7  a.m.,  but  in  future  he  should 
do  it  at  noon-day  since  there  was  no  pleasing  them. 

Rather  in  a  mess  at  breakfast  to-day  with  talking 
about  monks  and  priests  with  Miss  L.  Uncle  George, 
whom  we  had  forgot,  sitting  close  by. 

Talked  to-day  as  to  Rev.  George  Spencer.  Told 
'twas  a  sad  nuisance  to  the  family  and  continues  a 
very  sore  point.  They  were  exceedingly  active  in 
promoting  Catholic  Emancipation,  and  there  are  who 
have  held  George's  Conversion  a  Judgment. 

Just  now  Mr.  Brookfield  wrote  a  series  of  letters  to 
Monteith,  Venables,  and  Spedding. 

HAGLEY, 

YJth  August,  1834. 
My  dear  Monteith, 

I  shall  leave  in  October — when  my  youth  goes  to 
Cambridge.  My  residence  here  will  not  have  been 
without  either  pleasure  or  advantage,  but  I  shall  be 
glad  to  be  released  from  the  As  and  Bs  as  well  as  the 
Ps  and  Qs  of  Tutorship. 

We  went  in  the  middle  of  May  to  Althorp  (Lord 
Spencer's)  for  six  weeks,  and  thence  to  London.  I 
saw  in  town  Fred  and  Alfred  Tennyson,  the  former 
talked  of  bolting  to  Greece,  and  offered  to  wait  for  me 
till  October,  if  I  would  accompany  him, — but  I  dare 
not  promise  anything  so  wild.  Whether  he  be  yet  gone 
I  know  no  more  than  I  have  known  for  the  last  six 
months,  whether  you  and  Garden  had  followed  each 
other  to  a  Malaria  Charnel  house.  The  Bishop  of 
Worcester  was  here  a  few  days  ago.  He  is  a  picture 
of  episcopacy.  Cosy,  not  corpulent — rosy,  not  red — 
silky,  not  (very)  silly. 

15 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

I  received  from  Mr.  Hallam  a  copy  of  "  Remains  of 
A.  H.  H."  The  Memoir  is  by  the  Father,  and  is  just 
what  it  should  be — and  the  book  altogether  the  most 
prizeable  that  any  of  us  possess,  you  may  have  seen 
it,  but  if  not,  it  contains  400  pages,  of  which  the 
memoir  occupies  40.  The  "  Remains  "  comprise  all  that 
has  been  separately  printed  before — beside  an  Essay  on 
"  Sympathy  " — "  Theodicea  Norissima."  The  Memoir 
contains  a  letter  from  Spedding  to  the  father  after 
the  death  of  poor  Arthur — written,  I  believe,  for  the 
purpose,  and  with  all  the  unaffected  good  sense  that 
you  would  expect  from  the  dear  fellow. 

There  were  only  100  copies  printed,  of  which  there 
will,  of  course,  be  two  for  you  and  Frank  and  which 
for  aught  I  know  you  may  have  gotten. 

I  must  needs  dance  off  to  Paris  last  Easter  for  three 
weeks,  with  which  I  was  hugely  gratified,  but  lacked 
kindred  chums,  though  I  met  several  Cantabs.  I 
returned  by  Rouen  and  Havre,  but  all  alone.  What 
would  not  yourselves  or  a  Jesuit  have  been  worth  ? 

We  have  had  Mr.  George  Spencer  (the  Catholic 
Convict)  here  twice,  and  he  comes  again  within  the 
next  fortnight.  He  knew  a  little  of  Mimes  in  Rome. 
I  have  had  much  talk  and  was  much  pleased  with  his 
exceeding  humility  and  amiableness.  He  is  not  the  least 
bit  of  a  convert  for  the  picturesqueness  of  the  thing  ;  as 
might  have  been  the  case  with  certain  duodecimals 
that  I  wot  of.  He  is  quartered  as  a  priest  about  10 
miles  hence — where  he  chooses  to  live  in  severe  but 
quite  unostentatious  poverty  for  the  sake  of  saving 
for  the  poor.  If  I  may  speak  of  myself  as  I  am,  I 
will  speak  of  myself  as  one  writing  at  this  moment 
in  a  chamber  which  enjoys  the  imposing  name  of 
"  The  Damask  Tower  "  where  I  am  lulled  by  an  ^Eolian 
harp  of  my  own  making. 

16 


William  Henry  Brookfield 

At  the  age  of  23 


S    BR 

of 


and  which 
r  for  three 


/ 


IN  TOWN 

My  dear  Venables, 

Notwithstanding  the  proverbial  irregularity  of  the 
English  Mails  and  the  infamous  practice  of  Govern- 
ment in  embezzling  all  private  letters  for  the  King's 
private  reading,  yours  of  the  17th  eluded,  observation 
at  the  post  office  so  as  to  reach  me  ;  and  was  as  accept- 
able as  considering  the  wearisome  frequency  of  your 
communications  lately,  could  possibly  be  expected. 

My  last  was  a  scrawl  from  Althorp  —  where  we 
spent  six  weeks.  That  there  are  60,000  volumes  you 
know.  I  read  them  all  excepting  a  Pamphlet  in  a 
Patois  of  the  Sanscrit,  written  by  a  learned,  but,  I 
regret  to  add,  profane  Hindoo  Sectarian,  the  blasphe- 
mous drift  of  which  was  to  prove  that  Bramah's  locks 
were  not  all  patent. 

We  went  to  town  to  the  fiddling*  which  it  was 
the  pillf  of  the  day  to  cry  down.  I  was  much  gratified 
by  the  show  and  altogether.  I  sate  by  the  Duke  of 
Wellington  who  was  good  enough  to  go  out  to  fetch 
me  a  pot  of  porter.  When  "  See  the  Conquering  Hero 
comes "  was  sung  in  Judas  Maccabeus,  all  eyes  were 
turned  upon  me.  I  rose  and  bowed — but  did  not 
think  the  place  was  suited  for  any  more  marked 
acknowledgment.  The  King  sang  the  Coronation 
Anthem  exceedingly  well,  and  Princess  Victoria 
whistled  the  Dead  March  in  Saul  with,  perhaps,  rather 
less  than  her  usual  effect.  But  the  chef  d'auvre  was 
confessed  by  all  to  be  Macaulay  in  "  the  praise  of  God 


*  A  musical  festival  which  took  place  in  Westminster  Abbey. 

t  To  Pill  was  a  cant  expression  used  a  good  deal  by  "  the  set," 
meaning,  apparently,  to  talk,  either  pompously  or  trivially. 
It  may  have  originated  in  the  Glynne  family,  who  had  a  language 
of  their  own,  though  Lord  Lyttelton  does  not  include  it  in  his 
"  Dictionary  of  Glynnese." 

17 

3— (2309) 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

and  of  the  Second  Day."  I  rose  a  wiser  and  I  think  a 
sadder  man. 

Bishop  of  Worcester  spent  two  days  here  last 
week.  He  begged  me  with  tears  in  his  eyes  to  be 
Bishop  instead  of  him.  I  took  a  night  to  consider  of 
it  and  to  examine  into  my  fitness  for  such  a  charge — 
but  in  the  morning  gave  answer  with  the  elaborate- 
ness which  the  occasion  demanded  that  I  would  see 
him  ....  first. 

I  congratulate  you  on  H.  L.'s  company,  and  beg 
to  be  very  flatteringly  remembered  to  him.  Your 
pointing  out  the  Argandi  of  Wit  as  burning  in  Brecon 
and  Cambridge  will  make  my  very  soul  squint  with 
gazing  as  I  fail  not  to  do  longingly  at  both. — Your 
letter  amused  me  much  and  gratified  me  more,  but  I 
wish  such  tokens  were  somewhat  more  rife. 


My  dear  Spedding, 

Of  half  a  score  that  I  should  be  willing  and  of  half 
a  dozen  that  I  am  anxious  to  keep  well  with  to  the 
last  you  are  one.  Perhaps  if  I  had  been  a  little  more 
exclusive  in  my  likings  I  might  have  been  less  unworthy 
of  your  esteem  now  ; — but  after  the  long  dissipation 
of  mind  which  you  have  observed  with  less  scorn  than 
some  others,  I  feel  painfully  that  I  have  little  left  to 
offer  you  but  the  most  kindly  feelings, — which  to  you, 
I  know,  are  as  plentiful  as  blackberries.  Thy  servant 
is  this  day  one  score  and  five  years  old,  but  if  I  ask 
myself  what  I  am — the  answer  is  something  between 
a  quarter  of  a  century  and  a  quarter  of  a  hundred 
weight.  If  I  enquire  what  I  am  good  for — 'tis  the 
right-hand  side  of  the  general  form  of  a  quadratic  ; — 
if  what  I  am  likely  to  do  beyond  the  Devil's  praise- 
worthy and  cosmopolitan  employment  of  going  to 
and  fro  upon  the  earth,  the  answer  is  still  less  distinct ; 

18 


A  DREAM  OF  LIFE 

— write  my  dear  friend  to  a  conscious  bankrupt  and 
pay  me  that  thou  owest  for  thy  love  is  worth  a  million. 

I  called  on  Fred  Tennyson  the  morning  after  I 
saw  you,  and  found  him  in  a  very  kindly  spirit ;  he 
wanted  me  to  bolt  with  him  to  Greece  ;  but  being  peer 
bound  (such  mad  wags  as  you  would  call  him  a  chain 
pier)  I  was  obliged  to  decline.  By  the  merest  chance  I 
met  Alfred  at  twelve  the  same  night — "  a  man  upon 
the  Strand  "—"  all  alone  " — with  his  back  homewards — 
Alack !  What  are  we  ! — We  returned  to  Althorp 
the  next  day  whence  after  a  week's  stay  (in  which  I 
finished  the  last  49  of  the  60,000  volumes)  we  came  to 
Hagley — which  has  been  full  of  visitors  ever  since, 
amongst  others  old  Webb  of  Clare,  who  said  he  knew 
me  very  well  by  sight  and  character  in  Cambridge — 
luckily  for  the  latter  'twas  a  lie. 

I  have  a  dream  of  life  before  me  which,  though 
it  be  yet  an  unoutlined  speculation,  I  will  tell  you. 
'tis  a  naval  chaplaincy  ;  about  the  facility  of  obtaining 
which  Captain  Spencer,  R.N.,  has  written  to  the 
Admiralty,  but  there  is  yet  no  answer.  Supposing 
me  to  get  such  an  appointment  I  should  have  to  be 
ordained  to  a  title  as  the  Bishops  do  not  consider  a 
ship  as  a  title.  Such  an  engagement  would  shew  me 
the  world  with  tolerably  good  pay.  I  have  not  com- 
municated this  to  anybody  but  yourself  and  the 
Captain.  Do  you  know  of  a  title  ? 

I  found  the  Memoir,  etc.,  of  dear  Hallam  waiting 
me  at  Spencer  House  the  evening  of  the  day  I  saw 
you.  You  know  how  I  must  value  it. 

Hagley.    31st  August,  1834.  w-  H-  B- 

Sept.  1st.     [Diary.] 

At  breakfast  Lady  L.  designated  me,  L.,  and  Boll, 
"  the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  Nonsense,"  which 

19 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

I  converted  into  "  the  Society  for  the  Suppression  of 

Common   Sense." 

6th. 

At  dinner  sate  between  Lord  Spencer  and  Lord  L. 
After  dinner — being  at  length  en  famille,  we  had  much 
prate  and  sate  up  half  an  hour  beyond  Lord  Spencer's 
usual  time.  He  talked  again  of  the  Johnson  Club — 
what  a  bore  Bozzy  was  and  still  in  his  way  amusing. 
Johnson  had  something  of  the  overbearing  pomp 
popularly  ascribed  to  him,  but  Lord  S.  should  be  dis- 
posed to  call  it  affectation  of  a  character  which  he  knew 
somewhat  became  him.  Lord  S.  was  present  at  a 
party  when  Mrs.  (or  Lady)  Vesey  came  up  to  present 
the  Abbe  Rennault,  whose  book  Johnson  had  read  but 
not  liked.  He  only  said,  "  Yes,  I  see  him,  Madam." 

Lord  S.  gave  two  hundred  guineas  for  the  Redfern 
Chalk  Sketches  for  Haydon's  picture,  for  which  Lord 
Grey  gave  £500 — he  calls  them  "  excellent  chalks," 
and  he  cited  to  the  credit  of  the  independence  of  the 
Johnson  Club  that  once  Lord  Liverpool  (who  was  elected 
the  same  day  with  Butler  the  Catholic)  went  to  the 
Club,  which  he  was  very  fond  of  doing,  and  had  it  all 
solo.  The  club  meets  to  dinner  every  Tuesday  fort- 
night during  Parliament. 

Of  Lord  Spencer,  Mr.  Brookfield  says,  "He  is  a 
very  benevolent  old  man,  perfectly  crippled  by  the 
gout,  which,  however,  seems  to  have  confined  itself 
only  to  physical  ravages." 

10th. 

The  only  men  left  are  myself  and  Bibby.     Sate  at 

20 


LADY  LYTTELTON  AND  MISS  BERRY 

the  head  of  the  table.  Lady  Lyttelton  talked  of  Miss 
Edgeworth  as  forward  and  dictatorial  in  company, 
but  unassuming  in  dress.  She  told  a  queer  anecdote 
of  herself  calling  on  the  Miss  Berrys  in  town  when  she 
was  let  in.  The  servant,  however,  as  usual  garbled 
the  name,  and  Miss  Agnes  Berry  had  no  idea  who 
Lady  L.  was,  though  they  had  been  old  friends.  One 
does  not  in  town  ask  after  members  of  the  family — 
and  so  the  conversation  went  on  without  any  discovery 
either  of  ignorance  or  recognition.  At  last  Miss  Agnes 
said,  "  if  you  would  leave  your  card  that  my  sister 
and  I  may  know  your  address."  Lady  L.  sent  down 
to  her  carriage  for  a  card,  on  receiving  which  Miss 
Agnes  had  the  tact  to  discover  no  astonishment,  but 
swallowed  a  great  gulp — went  rattling  on  but  in  quite 
a  new  strain.  "  Aye,  you  let  Lord  L.  keep  you  in  the 
country  so  that  one  sees  nothing  of  you.  And  all  those 
nice  little  children,  etc.,  etc." — till  on  reaching  the 
bottom  of  the  stairs  she  said  :  "  Well,  now  I  must 
tell  you  the  truth  at  once.  I  had  not  the  least  idea 
who  you  were." 

12A. 

Brought  down  my  ^Eolian  Harp  this  morning  after 
breakfast,  the  ladies  having  requested  me  to  do  so 
yesterday — but  there  was  then  no  wind.  At  breakfast 
the  Princess  Victoria  was  talked  of  as  a  very  nice 
singer,  but  they  had  been  forced  to  keep  her  music 
under  the  smotherings  of  less  delightful  studies  or  it 
would  have  run  away  with  her.  The  Duchess  of 
Northumberland  has  no  sinecure  of  her  Governess-ship 
but  really  fags  with  her  pupil. 

21 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

Mr.  Brookfield  described  Lord  Lyttelton  as,  "a 
man,  I  fancy,  less  known  to  the  world  than  esteemed 
by  those  who  know  him,  though,  I  believe  he  '  started  ' 
some  five  and  twenty  years  ago,  for  a  celebrated  man — 
but  for  want  of  some  qualities,  not  always  the  adjuncts 
of  genius  and  information,  he  did  not  make  the  figure 
that  was  expected  in  the  House  of  Commons.  He  is 
a  lively  courtly  gentleman  amongst  his  friends,  and  a 
very  usefully  kind  neighbour  to  the  poor."  He  told 
Monteith  that  Lord  L.  was  a  "  kind  and  amiable  man 
whose  essential  pill  is  thickly  gilt  with  classic  wit." 

His  six  months  of  tutorship  passed  pleasantly  and 
quietly,  he  was  at  ease  and  happy  in  the  society  of 
people  so  cheerful  and  cultured  as  the  family  at  Hagley ; 
and  no  doubt,  during  that  period,  was  seriously 
turning  over  in  his  mind  what  was  to  prove  his  true 
vocation  in  life,  and  whether  it  was  the  Church.  Mr. 
Brookfield  was  not  one  who  wore  his  heart  upon  his 
sleeve,  nor  had  he  the  habit  of  some  diary  writers  who, 
unrestrained  by  the  discretion  which  a  sense  of  humour 
gives,  record  their  innermost  thoughts  and  most 
sacred  feelings  in  expressionless  black  and  white  upon 
the  pages  of  their  journals.  Certainly,  as  we  see  in 
the  letter,  given  above,  to  Mr.  James  Spedding,  the 
idea  of  a  naval  chaplaincy  attracted  him  strongly. 
It  had  been  originally  suggested  by  Captain  Spencer 
and  was  cordially  encouraged  by  Lady  Lyttelton. 
She  and  Mr.  Brookfield  had  many  a  talk  together 
upon  the  subject,  each  of  which  brought  him  nearer, 
if  not  to  a  life  upon  the  sea,  at  all  events  to  his  ultimate 
destination,  namely,  holy  orders.  In  the  beginning 

22 


ORDINATION 

of  September,  1834,  he  seems  to  have  definitely  made 
up  his  mind,  for  he  writes  then  to  his  father  to  thank 
him  for  his  prompt  and  kind  consent  to  his  ordination. 

He  left  Hagley  with  many  regrets  on  the  fifth  of 
October.  Shortly  after  he  was  ordained  by  the  Bishop 
of  Lincoln  to  the  Curacy  of  Maltby,  where  he  preached 
his  first  sermon  on  Christmas  Day. 

That  his  preaching  attracted  attention,  and  that 
the  world  had  no  wish  to  forget  him,  is  proved  by  the 
presence  in  that  "long  street  on  the  Rotherham  road" 
from  time  to  time,  of  most  of  his  Cambridge  friends. 
Milnes,  Tennyson,  Venables,  were  amongst  those  who 
early  sought  him  out,  while  an  old  Miss  Thackeray, 
who  lived  near,  made  much  of  him  and  sent  out  copies 
of  his  sermons  to  all  her  friends.  But  he  found  a 
country  life  too  tied  and  cramped  for  his  tempera- 
ment, and  he  was  oppressed  there  by  a  dulness  that 
neither  his  friends'  visits  nor  their  sprightly  letters 
could  alleviate. 

Did  not  George  Lyttelton  write  him — 

HAGLEY, 

27th  Jan.,  1836. 
My  dear  Brookfield, 

Behold  !  Did  not  the  Dobson  F.  T.  C.  exhort  me 
in  many  moving  words  last  term  to  epistolize  the 
Curate  of  Maltby  ?  and  did  not  I  abstain  from  so  doing 
for  no  good  reason  but  inherent  laziness,  and  now 
being  at  home  I  have  been  again  reminded  of  the  said 
by  the  advent  of  a  most  delectable  Derbyshire  Courier 
with  grand  account  of  Tory  Eatings  at  Sheffield,  and 
with  also  a  sad,  short  report  to  this  effect.  "  Mr. 
Brookfield  returned  thanks." 

23 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

Novelties  at  Cambridge  there  are  not  many. 
Whewell  will  shortly  emit  a  gigantic  History  of  Science, 
which  will  be  the  death  of  many  people  and  the  per- 
plexity of  more — but  the  wonderment  of  all.  He 
hath  also  been  scribbling  away  right  and  left. 
"Thoughts  on  the  Study  of  Mathematics,"  "Re- 
marks on  Art/'  etc. 

There  appeared  a  short  time  ago  at  Cambridge  a 
bird  known  by  the  name  of  Milnes — whilome  fellow- 
commoner.  He  had  a  very  fragrant  memory  of  you 
in  your  Freshman's  term,  and  attributed  to  you  the 
following  bong-mo.  Having  issued  from  some  pot-hus 
or  other  such  dubious  den,  and  being  subsequently 
upbraided  thus,  "  Why  did  I  see  you  coming  out  of 
such  a  place  t'other  day  ?  "  You  answered  "  Because, 
Dicky,  I  thought  it  too  bad  a  place  to  stay  in  any 
longer." 

Is  the  lean  Calvinist  in  prosperity  ?  Is  the  broken 
fiddle  mended  ?  ditto  prospect  of  coming  to  Cambridge? 

Fare  thee  well, 

GEORGE  LYTTELTON. 

To  which,  some  time  afterwards  he  replied : 

Nothing  changes  in  this  most  lithic  spot.  The 
inventive  spirit  of  a  Times  reporter  would  fall  into 
lethargy  in  five  minutes  from  the  dearth  and  drought 
of  notabilea.  I  have  on  the  very  coat  you  last  saw 
me  in,  my  hair  and  nails  grow  not,  the  fiddle  is  still 
unstrung,  the  only  string  it  had  when  you  saw  it  will 
not  vary  the  monotony  by  cracking.  The  lean  Calvin- 
ist is  still  lean  and  still  a  Calvinist — the  birds  hop  not — 
the  fishes  flop  not — the  kine  crop  not,  and  for  me  my 
mind  is  the  callous  unresisting  victim  of  a  painless 
but  fatal  chronic,  and  my  wits  lie  all  five  huddled 
and  stifled  in  a  leathern  elephantiasis  of  sloth — in- 
capable and  inaccessible.  Oh,  for  one  term  of  Cam. 

24 


LOST— A  TENNYSON  MANUSCRIPT 

Oh,  for  one  week  at  Trin.  Oh,  for  one  hour  with  that 
bumptious  but  capital  duo-decimo,  the  Apostle.  Are 
you  one  yet  ? 

It  is  not  perhaps  surprising  that  he  sought  for 
change,  and  early  in  1836  accepted  the  curacy  of 
Holyrood,  Southampton.  In  this  busy  town  he  found 
congenial  work  and  congenial  people,  and  though  it 
was  not  till  the  end  of  '37  that  the  Eltons  took  up 
their  residence  there,  it  is  more  than  probable  that  he 
met  Miss  Jane,  his  future  wife,  when,  as  a  girl  of  fifteen 
she  was*  visiting  a  married  sister  at|Forest  Lodge  :  for 
in  the  April  of  '36  a  friend  from  Maltby  writes  to  him  : 

I  cannot  wonder  you  don't  get  along  with  the 
introductions  given  you,  for  I  hear  you  have  made 
acquaintance  with  some  cousins  of  Arthur  Hallam. 

How  delightful  that  must  be — if  they  knew  much 
of  him.  Did  you  contrive  to  see  Alfred  Tennyson  when 
you  were  in  London,  or  do  you  know  how  he  is  going 
on  ?  I  hope  you  will  be  pleased  to  hear  that  many  of 
the  poor  people  here  have  much  regretted  your  depar- 
ture, and  asked  to  hear  of  you  whenever  we  did. 

Close  on  his  arrival  in  Southampton  Mr.  Brookfield 
was  dunned  by  Garden  for  the  manuscript  of  one  of 
"  Alfred's  poems  :  for,  in  Cambridge  days,  it  seems 
they  most  of  them  had  the  habit  of  taking  away  their 
friend's  latest  work,  whatever  it  might  be,  and  copying 
it.  The  MS.  then  demanded  was  not  to  be  found,  and 
nothing  was  heard  again  of  it,  till  it  was  discovered 
in  1900,  together  with  its  copy,  in  an  old  box  where  it 
had  lain  hidden  since  '36,  or  what  Garden  called 
his  and  Brookfield's  '  M.A.  Time.'  " 

A  little  later  the  above  correspondent  again  writes  : 

25 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

I  cannot  tell  you  how  much  I  should  like  to  know 
what  sermon  you  preached  first  at  Southampton;  if 
it  is  one  that  we  have  heard  do  not  forget  to  tell  us, 
and  also  if  you  have  heard  whether  it  was  generally 
approved  or  not.  Your  sermon  on  "  What  is  man," 
is  going  the  round  of  the  neighbourhood,  and  I  think 
not  very  correctly  copied.  Miss  Lucy  showed  it  to 
me.  Miss  Thackeray  borrowed  it  for  her  from  a  friend. 
I  believe  she  told  Miss  Lucy  many  of  her  friends  had 
copies  of  it.  Tuesday  was  B.'s  birthday,  we  kept  it 
at  Roche  Abbey,  it  was  a  nice  day  and  the  party 
altogether  harmonious,  but  you  have  been  one  of  us 
for  so  long  now  that  I  felt  rather  as  if  one  of  my  sisters 
were  wanting.  There  were  the  Overend  family,  the 
customary  tribe  of  Sheffield  men  and  the  Vivians — 
the  latter  nice  people,  particularly  the  Lady  Mary 
who  had  desired  me  to  let  Mr.  Tennyson  know  of  it, 
and  so  of  course  we  wondered  all  day  whether  he  would 
come.  Doubtless  you  will  conclude  he  failed,  but 
yesterday  we  had  a  very  kind  straightforward  note 
from  him  regretting  his  inability  to  do  so. 

I  have  been  trying  to  persuade  Mary  to  write  the 
ends  of  my  letter  but  I  cannot,  so  mine  will  not  have 
the  usual  characteristic  of  ladies'  letters — the  valuable 
part  in  the  postscript. 

Mr.  Tennyson's  note  is  addressed  to  me  and  Mary 
has  wanted  to  buy  it,  but  she  thinks  it  worth  more 
than  a  pound,  and  she  cannot  afford  more  to  spend 
upon  it.  I  have  offered  to  give  it,  as  I  feel  I  do  not 
half  value  it  as  she  does — so  she  has  taken  it  upon  a 
long  loan — would  not  that  please  him,  do  you  think  ? 

While  Mr.  Charles  Elton  writing  to  his  family,  after 
deciding  to  settle  in  Southampton,  tells  them  about 
the  Church  of  the  Holy-rood,  "  where  a  Mr.  Brookfield 
well  known  to  the  Hallams,  is  curate." 

26 


CHAPTER  II 

The  Eltons.  Sir  Charles.  Lander's  Letter  to  Southey.  The 
Hallams.  Anecdote  of  Arthur  Hallam.  Princess  Victoria.  The 
Bristol  Riots.  Jane  Elton's  education.  Her  home  life.  Walter 
Savage  Landor.  Death  of  Ellen  Hallam.  At  Southampton. 
Meets  Mr.  Brookfield.  Beauty  and  charm.  Engagement. 

Jane  Octavia  Elton  was  born  at  Clifton  on  the 
25th  March,  1821,  the  youngest  daughter  of  Charles 
Elton  of  Clevedon  Court,  afterwards  seventh  Baronet 
of  that  name. 

A  branch  of  an  ancient  family  in  Herefordshire, 
the  Eltons  migrated  early  in  the  seventeenth  century 
from  the  neighbourhood  of  Ledbury  to  Bristol,  in 
which  city  they  seem  to  have  at  once  made  some  mark. 
Possessing  unusual  social  gifts  as  well  as  active  minds 
they  managed  to  crown  all  they  touched  with  such 
success  that  at  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century 
the  head  of  the  house  was  awarded  a  baronetcy  for 
services  he  was  able  to  render  to  the  Crown.  To  the 
fore  in  most  things,  seven  Eltons  were  in  their  turn 
Masters  of  the  Merchant  Venturers,  while  six  were 
Mayors  of  Bristol,  and  several  members  of  Parliament. 

The  opening  of  the  nineteenth  century  found  the 
family  as  vigorous  as  ever,  though  naturally  with 
different  aims  and  ambitions.  Sir  Abraham  Elton, 
the  sixth  baronet,  father  of  Charles,  and  grandfather 
of  Mrs.  Brookfield,  was  a  clergyman  •  as  a  fine  writer 
and  preacher  of  sermons  he  was  for  some  time  chaplain 
to  the  King  of  Hanover  ;  as  a  lover  of  literature  he 

27 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

was  the  intimate  friend  of  Hannah  More  and  the 
admiring  acquaintance  of  Maria  Edgeworth.  His  son, 
Charles  Elton,  was  at  Eton  with  Henry  Hallam,  in  days 
when,  as  the  son  of  a  baronet,  he  was  permitted  to 
wear  for  full  dress  a  red  coat  and  a  sword,  his  hair 
powdered  and  tied  behind.  He  afterwards  held  a 
commission  in  the  forty-eighth  foot  and  served  with 
distinction  in  the  trenches  in  Holland  under  the  Duke 
of  York  in  1799.  But  he  was  not  only  a  soldier,  he 
was  more  especially  a  poet,  a  scholar,  and  a  man 
of  letters.  His  translations  from  the  Classics  are  well 
enough  known  and  his  "  Hesiod  "  is  a  class  book  still 
in  use  in  some  of  our  public  schools.  "  Boyhood," 
a  book  of  pleasing  verse  won  for  him  the  admiration  of 
his  brother  poets,  while  of  an  Elegy  ("  The  Brothers," 
written  after  the  loss  of  his  two  eldest  sons,  boys  of 
twelve  and  fourteen,  by  drowning  in  the  Bristol 
Channel)  Landor  said  to  Southey  : — 

"  I  have  been  reading  for  the  third  time  Charles 
Elton's  Elegy  on  the  loss  of  his  sons.  It  is  not  an 
Elegy  (though  the  structure  of  the  verses  has  nothing 
to  do  with  the  matter),  but  many  parts  strike  me  as 
much  as  anything  I  ever  heard  of  the  elegiac.  Tears 
were  in  my  eyes  the  first  time,  the  second  time,  and 
the  third  time,  on  reading — 

'  That  night  the  little  chamber  where  they  lay 
'  Fast  by  our  own,  was  silent  and  was  still.'  ' 

Charles  Elton  married  one  of  the  beautiful  Miss 
Smiths,  ladies  so  admired  for  their  complexions  (in 
days  when  almost  everybody  was  marked  by  small 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD'S  LONG  LIFE 

pox)  as  well  as  for  their  grace,  that  people  climbed 
upon  chairs  and  tables  in  the  pump  room  at  Bath 
whenever  they  appeared.  Their  father,  of  a  good 
merchant  family  of  Bristol,  was  the  relation,  friend, 
and  supporter  of  Burke. 

One  of  Mrs.  Brookfield's  earliest  recollections  was 
of  this  lovely  mother  bending  over  her  in  full  Court 
dress,  to  say  "  Good-night  " — before  she  went  out  to 
some  Court  function  in  Brussels,  where  they  were  then 
living. 

Charles  Elton's  sister  Julia  married  Hallam,  the  histo- 
rian, in  1807,  which  event  is  recorded  in  the  London 
Chronicle  :   "  On  Wednesday,  Henry  Hallam,  Esquire, 
Commissioner  of  Stamps,  to  Miss  Elton,  daughter  of 
Sir  Abraham  Elton,  Bart.,  of  Clevedon  Court ;  "  and 
the  gifted  children  of  this  union  were  thus  naturally 
the  cousins  of  Jane  Elton,  afterwards  Mrs.  Brookfield. 
Though  only  twelve  years  old  when  Arthur  Hallam 
died,    she   always   remembered   perfectly   his   charm 
and  his  kindliness,  for  the  Hallams  often  took  neigh- 
bouring houses  in  order  to  be  near  the  Eltons  and  there 
was  great  incessant  intercourse  between  them.     As  a 
child  of  seven  Jane  was  once  in  Arthur  Hallam's 
presence  put  to  practise  some  elementary  lesson  upon 
the  pianoforte,  but   frightened  and  abashed  by  his 
nearness,  she  was  not  able  to  proceed,  and  could  not 
manage  to  strike  a  note  until  he  put  away  the  paper 
he  was  reading,  and  with  great  sweetness  cheered  and 
encouraged  her.     Mrs.  Brookfield  says  "  Arthur  and 
Harry  Hallam's  talents  and  charm  are  almost  always 
referred  to  as  inherited  from  their  father,  but  their 

29 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

mother  had  great  ability  as  well  as  sweetness,  courage, 
and  self-sacrifice." 

Except  for  three  years  in  Brussels  Mrs.  Elton  passed 
her  youth  until  her  sixteenth  year  in  Clifton  and  its 
neighbourhood.  She  saw  Queen  Victoria  as  a  child 
in  Bath,  and  was  struck  by  her  unaffected  grace,  and 
an  incident  connected  with  that  royal  visit  she  never 
forgot.  One  of  her  own  small  friends  had  been 
invited  to  go  and  play  with  the  young  Princess,  and 
when  the  hour  for  parting  came,  turned  naturally  to 
embrace  her  royal  companion,  whereupon  the  Duchess 
of  Kent  drew  away  the  Princess  and  smilingly  observed 
"  No— we  don't  kiss." 

The  Bristol  Riots  occurred  when  she  was  just  old 
enough  to  go  to  afternoon  service.  Her  father  told 
her  at  the  time  he  should  have  taken  all  his  family 
to  Clevedon,  but  that  as  a  magistrate  he  felt  it  his 
duty  to  remain  at  Clifton  till  order  was  restored.  "  It 
was  the  day,"  she  says,  "  when  the  first  conflict  with 
the  soldiery  occurred,  and  there  was  an  unusual  dis- 
turbance among  the  congregation.  Messengers  came 
in  and  out.  Gentlemen  rose  up  and  left  the  Church, 
but  the  sermon  still  went  on — the  preacher  giving  his 
secondly,  thirdly,  and  fourthly  without  a  tremor.  My 
two  elder  sisters  were  with  me,  and  as  we  came  out 
I  remember  noticing  their  beautiful  new  dresses  of 
green  and  purple  shot  silk,  but  this  frivolous  interest 
was  soon  dispelled  by  the  consternation  which  seized 
us  all,  for  looking  down  from  the  hill  we  saw  what 
seemed  to  be  the  whole  of  Bristol  in  flames.  That 
was  between  four  and  five  o'clock.  We  hurried  home 

30 


Arthur  Holla 

At  the  age  of  16 
from  a  painting  at   Wickham  Court 


:cep 


icidei 


>served 


home 


-  /i'l'in  ft  /iff/.ti/i'tty  eff  ./'//•/ 


THE  BRISTOL  RIOTS 

to  find  reports  continually  coming  in,  and  then  as  the 
mob  was  understood  to  have  threatened  everyone 
with  summary  vengeance  if  they  did  not  illuminate 
their  houses,  we  with  our  neighbours  hastily  put  candles 
into  our  windows — for  the  rioters  seemed  for  the  time 
to  have  it  their  own  way.  I  was  not  sent  to  bed  for 
nobody  thought  of  it.  Many  gentlemen  came  in  who 
had  enlisted  as  special  constables,  and  late  that  night 
my  father  hurried  myself  and  my  two  little  brothers 
out  to  Clevedon  to  our  grandfather's.  It  was  a  long 
way  round,  as  there  was  no  suspension  bridge  then,* 
and  we  went  away  rejoicing,  for  as  we  lived  in 
what  we  thought  a  small  house,  we  looked  forward 
to  living  in  a  big  one.  I  took  a  letter  to  Sir  Abraham, 
of  whom  we  stood  in  awe,  and  to  whom  we  hardly 
ever  spoke,  but  our  delight  was  dashed  when  he  said 
it  was  impossible  for  him,  for  our  own  safety,  to  receive 
us — '  when  who  knew  but  that  the  mob  might  invade 
Clevedon,  and  if  they  do  my  old  house  will  be  the  first 
attacked,  and  no  safe  refuge  for  you  children.'  He 
therefore  decided  to  send  us  to  his  steward's  house  by 
the  sea — or  rather  by  the  Channel — and  very  kind 
that  steward  and  his  wife  were  to  us." 

According  to  the  system  of  these  days,  Miss  Jane 
used  to  have  her  lessons  lying  upon  a  hard  board  with 
a  hollow  for  the  head.  It  was  also  usual  for  little  girls 
to  wear  a  "  spider  "  from  the  back  of  the  neck  to  the 


*  Before  the  Suspension  Bridge  was  proposed  a  basket  used 
to  go  across  the  river  on  chains,  and  young  Jane  Elton  was  one  of 
the  adventurous  first  to  go  over  in  that  way. 

31 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

waist ;    this  was  a  web  of  iron  or  steel  covered  with 
chamois  leather,  and  formed  a  sort  of  rigid  stays. 

The  most  important  part  of  her  education  perhaps 
was  that  derived  from  her  father,  who  used  to  read 
aloud  in  the  evening  to  his  family  with  "  infinite  feeling 
and  perfect  intonation,"  and  in  that  way  led  them  to 
appreciate  Milton  and  Shakespeare,  as  well  as  the 
modern  poets.  He  would  sometimes  give  them  Miss 
Austin  or  Miss  Edgeworth,  and  he  had,  she  says,  very 
largely  "  the  gift  of  infecting  us  with  his  own  love 
of  letters.  My  dear  father  made  himself  the  friend 
of  his  children,  receiving  our  confidences  and  advising 
us  in  all  our  difficulties.  After  the  death  of  our  dear 
mother  (which  happened  when  Jane  Elton  was  about 
ten)  we  had  a  governess  who  kept  up  the  French  so 
readily  acquired  in  Brussels,  but  she  was  very  severe, 
and  a  tendency  to  stoop  was  corrected  not  only  by  the 
'  spider '  but  by  a  bunch  of  holly  pinned  under  my 
chin  upon  my  pinafore." 

There  is  this  to  be  said  for  the  stern  system  of  phy- 
sical education  in  those  days,  that  Mrs.  Brookfield 
preserved  to  the  end  of  her  life  a  perfectly  erect 
figure  and  a  remarkably  stately  bearing  and  carriage. 

She  always  considered  her  father's  extreme  gentle- 
ness and  indulgence  was  partly  the  result  of  the  strict 
discipline  of  his  own  early  life,  when  he  and  his 
brothers  and  sister  had  always  to  address  their  parents 
as  "  Sir  "  and  "  Madam,"  and  to  stand  in  their  presence 
until  told  they  might  sit  down. 

She  retained  a  vivid  memory  of  the  watchmen  in 
their  cloaks  of  grey  or  brown  with  many  capes,  and 

32 


THE  ELTON  FAMILY 

her  pleasure  when  they  gave  out  "  Just  twelve  o'clock. 
A  bright  moonlight  night,"  whereas  she  would  bury 
her  head  in  her  pillows  when  she  heard  the  words 
"  Thundery  weather — and  rain  falling  fast."  She 
never  forgot  the  Welsh  wives  with  their  neat  figures, 
blue  serge  dresses,  and  high  hats,  who  came  into  the 
neighbourhood  at  stated  seasons,  to  find  a  market  for 
their  flannel. 

The  large  family  of  Eltons,  eight  girls  (Jane  was 
the  youngest  daughter  and  hence  her  second  name 
of  Octavia)  and  three  boys  living,  seems  to  have  been 
a  particularly  gay  and  happy  one.  Jane  herself  says 
of  her  sisters  that  they  were  her  first  instructresses  and 
"  putters-into-corners."  But  a  close  family  affection 
between  them  went  with  a  fond  belief  in  each  other's 
talents,  and  not  without  reason,  for  they  were  undoubt- 
edly all  of  them  of  exceptional  intelligence.  Jane  was, 
perhaps,  the  darling,  not  merely  for  her  beauty,  but 
for  her  bright  wit  and  general  sprightliness.  Her  elders 
took  the  trouble  to  write  her  their  best  letters,  while 
her  own,  from  her  earliest  days  were  received  by  the 
whole  family  with  "  great  applause  and  pleasure." 
When  she  was  just  fourteen  she  wrote  to  Gent :  Cadet 
Arthur  H.  Elton,  Sandhurst. 

CLIFTON,  1835. 

We  went,  Mary  and  I,  to  a  missionary  meeting. 
A  little  lady  hung  on  to  my  back  for  half  an  hour  (?) 
until  with  a  majestic  frown  I  shook  her  off.  A  short 
old  gentleman  with  a  long  stick  next  kindly  made  me 
his  crutch,  until  after  having  writhed  in  torture  under 
his  heavy  weight  I  stood  on  tip-toe  and  attracted  the 

33 

4— (2309) 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

attention  of  Uncle  Henry,  then  aided  by  a  friend's 
shoulder  and  Mr,  A.'s  powerful  hand,  I  ascended  to 
the  gallery,  and  Mary  soon  followed.  Mr.  Yate,  from 
New  Zealand,  spoke  interestingly  ;  he  said  the  children 
there  as  soon  as  they  were  born  were  consecrated  to 
the  Devil,  and  a  stone  pushed  down  their  throats  to 
show  their  hearts  must  be  made  as  like  it  as  possible. 
Mr.  Yate  saw  a  little  boy  of  four  eat  the  eyes  of  a  man  ! 
P.S. — The  whole  of  Bristol  has  been  in  an  uproar 
with  Mrs.  Burdock's  trial,*  at  which  papa  attended 
three  days,  ending  up  with  the  execution. 

Her  father  was  the  friend  of  Lamb,  Landor,  Southey, 
Coleridge,  Turner,  etc.,  and  Mrs.  Brookfield  says  : 

"  I  was  one  day  bowling  my  hoop  up  and  down  the 
Royal  Crescent,  when  Mr.  Landor  appeared  walking 
with  his  friend,  Southey.  Southey  was  in  an  old- 
fashioned  spencer,  his  hair  tied  behind  in  queue  style, 
with  a  black  ribbon.  I  remember  quite  well  his  eagle 
eye  and  aquiline  nose,  and  the  excitement  of  meeting 
the  author  of  the  '  Curse  of  Kehema  '  in  real  life." 


Lander's  society  was  very  congenial  to  Charles  Elton 
and  he  was  a  frequent  visitor  to  their  house,  so  frequent 
that  sometimes  the  young  people  would  note  that 
"  nothing  occurred — only  Old  Landor  called  oftener 
than  ever."  He  would  come  in  at  about  dinner  time, 
six  o'clock,  "  when  he  would  ask  leave  to  sit  in  the  room, 
without  dining,  as  he  preferred  to  go  home  to  a  later 

*  As  this  Mrs.  Burdock  went  forth  to  be  executed  it  happened 
to  rain,  on  which  she  refused  to  move  forward  until  an  umbrella 
was  procured  for  her. 

34 


WALTER  SAVAGE  LANDOR 

dinner.     He  would  take  an  easy  chair  and  talk  delight- 
fully without  causing  the  least  restraint  or  inconve- 
nience.    Often   he   would   repeat   poetry   or   tell   us 
amusing  anecdotes.     He  especially  delighted  in  reciting 
alternate  stanzas  from  Homer  with  my  father.     He 
was  most  kind  and  sympathetic  to  us  all  though  he 
singled  out  me  and  my  sister  Mary  at  that  early  age 
to  tell  us  he  had  troubles.     One  day  he  said  he  had  left 
a  drawer  full  of  Southey's  letters  at  home — letters  he 
had  treasured  and  intended  to  keep,  but  "  My  wife 
has  been  so  good  as  to  burn  them/'  and  he  gave  the 
loudest  burst  of  laughter  I  ever  heard.     One  of  my 
sisters  had  written  a  short  story  about  which  she  was 
very  diffident  although  she  vaguely  hoped  it  might 
some   day   be   printed.     Landor   was   consulted   and 
asked  to  read  it.     He  took  it  away  and  soon  afterwards 
told  us  Lady  Blessington  would  publish  it,  and  that 
he  had  advised  her  to  give  £5  for  it."     This  story  ap- 
peared in  the  "  Book  of  Beauty  "  in  1836.    He  wrote 
those  charming  lines  "  Carlino  "  in  Mary  Elton's  album, 
and  would  have  written  in  Jane's  only  she  unfortunately 
had  no  album  the  day  he  came  for  that  purpose. 
Mrs.  Brookfield  also  mentions  that  it  was  Walter  Savage 
Landor,  who  suffering  from  the  shrieks  of  a  parrot  in  a 
neighbouring  house,  called  in  the  greengrocer's  boy 
and  gave  him  a  guinea  to  procure  a  piece  of  parsley  and 
administer  it  to  the  bird,  as  parsley  was  supposed  to  be 
fatal  to  parrots. 

In  1837  a  sorrow  fell  upon  this  merry  family,  which 
they  were  all  now  old  enough  to  appreciate.  Ellen 
Hallam  died.  She  was  twenty-one,  beautiful,  and  of 

35 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

a  thoughtful  and  discerning  mind,  and  the  occurrence 
seems  to  have  shocked  her  cousins  and  companions 
so  much  that  Hallam  and  his  wife  in  the  midst  of  their 
own  closer  grief  wrote  letters  to  console  them.  Mrs. 
Brookfield  says  of  this  event :  "It  was  my  dear  Aunt 
Hallam's  custom  to  read  some  Psalm  every  morning 
with  her  daughters  before  they  began  their  daily  tasks. 
Ellen  had  been  ill,  but  was  able  for  the  first  time  to 
commence  the  reading  with  her  mother  as  usual  in  the 
school  room.  They  read  together  alternate  verses  of 
the  Psalm,  and  as  Ellen  closed  her  book  she  leaned 
back  and  sighed  gently.  She  had  died  in  that  easy  and 
painless  manner." 

Hallam,  touching  upon  this  terrible  second  loss  (for 
Arthur  was  not  much  older,  and  had  died  almost  as 
suddenly),  says  of  his  wife  :  "  Julia  is  wonderfully 
resigned.  Her  mature  faith  in  Heaven  yields  to  no 
storm,"  and  very  soon  "  Julia  "  was  asking  her  niece 
Jane  to  come  to  Sevenoaks,  where  they  had  taken 
a  house  in  order  for  a  little  to  be  away  from  sad  remind- 
ers of  their  child.  In  that  same  year  Richard  Monckton 
Milnes  wrote  his  sympathetic  lines  on  "  Arthur  and 
Ellen  Hallam,"  in  which  occurs  : 

"  Say  not,  O  world  of  short  and  broken  sight ! 
That  these  died  young  ;  the  bee  and  butterfly 
Live  longer  in  one  active  sunny  hour 
Than  the  poor  tortoise  in  his  torpid  years." 

About  that  visit  to  Sevenoaks  Jane  Elton  says  : 
"  When  I  was  going  away  Mr.  Landor  brought  to 
me  at  the  coach  door — where  he  had  come  to  say 
'  Good-bye ' — an  amusing  annual  in  which  he  had 

36 


67  WIMPOLE  STREET 

written,  •"  From  her  friend,  Walter  Savage  Landor." 
Our  coach  stopped  at  Marlboro'  for  dinner,  and  I  shall 
never  forget  the  enormous  joints  and  the  great  jugs  of 
beer  provided  for  that  meal.  My  aunt's  maid  met  me 
at  the  coach  office  in  London,  and  took  me  in  a  hackney 
coach,  a  large  carriage  with  two  horses,  to  sixty-seven 
Wimpole  Street,  immortalized  in  Tennyson's  '  In 
Memoriam.' 

1  Doors  where  my  heart  was  used  to  beat.' 

"  It  was  indeed  '  dark  and  unlovely/  dismantled 
and  empty  of  all  its  usual  inmates.  I  only  slept  there 
one  night,  and  was  taken  on  next  morning  to  a  charm- 
ing country  house." 

Towards  the  end  of  this  year  the  Eltons  moved 
to  Southampton,  and  Mary  Elton  wrote  to  Jane  when 
this  was  settled  :  "  Mr.  Landor  says  it  will  make  him 
melancholy  to  pass  by  our  terrace,  so  he  will  not  return 
to  Clifton.  He  says  Torquay  is  the  loveliest  place, 
next  to  Clifton,  in  all  Europe." 

Once  settled  in  Southampton,  Mr.  Brookfield  became 
a  constant  visitor  at  their  house.  Charles  Elton 
delighted  in  his  society,  as  did  his  sons,  his  daughters, 
and  all  their  friends,  while  Miss  Jane  was  now,  as  she 
says  herself,  sixteen  years  of  age,  grown  to  her  full 
height — five  foot  nine — and  named  by  her  father 
"  Glumdalclitch."  But  she  was  fair  and  rosy,  with 
large  and  lustrous  eyes  neither  blue  nor  grey,  a  sweet 
and  beautiful  voice,  a  graceful  carriage,  and  an  irre- 
sistible intangible  charm  which  her  sister  vowed  "  even 
the  servants  can't  resist."  Then  her  intercourse  with 

37 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

her  father's  literary  friends,  her  close  intimacy  with  the 
Hallams,  had  helped  to  polish  an  originally  bright 
mind  and  enabled  her,  while  still  so  young,  to  talk 
with  ease  and  spirit.  It  is  no  wonder  she  was  promptly 
named  "  Belle  of  Southampton,"  that  her  father's 
doorstep  was  besieged,  or  that  the  album  which  she 
now  possessed  was  filled  to  the  full  with  sonnets  and 
verses.  She  seems,  however,  to  have  borne  this 
avalanche  of  admiration  well,  for  her  husband  tells  her 
in  later  years  "  it  was  her  girlish  modesty  more  than 
her  great  beauty  which  first  attracted  him." 

Even  her  sisters  and  brothers  wrote  verses  to  her, 
and  as  a  specimen  of  the  album  amateur  verse  of  the 
period — probably  rather  above  than  below  the  average 
— may  be  quoted  : 

MY  SISTER'S  BIRTHDAY. 
(MARY  E.  ELTON,  IMPROMPTU) 

"  Let  the  merry  bells  ring  round  " 
Wake  little  Jane  !    thy  birthday  comes — 
And  seventeen  years  ago, 
On  such  a  Sunday,  love,  as  this, 
I  gave  to  thee  my  first  fond  kiss — 
When  the  fat  nurse's  hushing  sound 
Warned  me  to  enter  soft  and  low ! 


But  now,  oh,  Joan  !    thou  dost  exchange 
For  wisdom  all  thy  naughty  tricks — 
Once  thou  didst  lay  thy  curly  head 
Down  on  the  table,  running  round, 
Roaring  and  stamping  on  the  ground, 
And  thou  wouldst  not  thy  History  read. 


SOUTHAMPTON 

14  Let  the  merry  bells  ring  round  " 
Childhood's  troubles  now  are  o'er, 
Jane  is  now  a  lady  quite 
(Though  to  admit  the  honest  fact 
Liberty  she  never  lacked). 
Scatter  snowdrops  on  the  ground 
Liberty  is  now  her  right. 

25th  March,  1838. 

It  is  Mary*  who  a  few  weeks  later  writes  to  a  cousin 
in  London  : — 

"  I  feel  rather  a  curiosity  to  see  Mr.  Trench,  and 
his  friend  Mr.  Brookfield  will  bring  him  to  call  some 
day.  Mr  Brookfield  is  very  well  acquainted  with  the 
Tennysons.  He  is  very  clever,  plays  very  well,  and  is 
witty,  which  accomplishments  added  to  his  powers 
as  a  preacher  are  counterbalanced  by  some  affectations 
such  as  "  Immensely  delicious,  that  flower,"  "  Incre- 
dibly beautiful  it  is." 

The  Southampton  home  was,  if  anything,  gayer  than 
the  Clifton  one.  Charles  Elton,  now  that  "  Jane  was 
a  lady  quite,"  apart  from  insisting  that  his  children 
should  attend  Church  and  family  prayers,  left  them 
pretty  well  to  their  own  devices.  Accordingly  their 
house  was  full  of  friends,  old  and  young,  on  all 
occasions  when  society  did  not  claim  them  elsewhere. 

Miss  Jane  about  this  time  made  a  slight  struggle 
to  be  called  Miss  Octavia,  which  assumption  was  kindly 
but  promptly  laughed  down.  One  day  at  a  very  full 
table — the  cloth  being  removed — a  gentleman  wishing 

*  Mary  married  her  cousin,  Frederick  Elton,  and  was  the  mother 
of  Charles  Elton,  Q.C.,  the  Shakespeare  student.  She  died  at  an 
early  age. 

39 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

to  pay  tribute  to  the  colour  of  her  eyes,  took  two  blue 
petals  from  a  flower,  shut  his  own  eyes,  and  placing 
the  petals  upon  them,  exclaimed,  "  Miss  Jane."  And 
once,  while  rehearsing  for  some  theatricals,  when  the 
lover,  in  accordance  with  stage  directions,  was  about 
to  kiss  her,  her  chaperon  stepped  officially  forward,  put 
Jane  on  one  side,  and  holding  up  her  own  face,  said 
"  Practise  on  me,  if  you  please." 

But  if  the  young  people  were  gay  they  were  also 
intellectually  alert,  and  when  not  employed  in  social 
duties  would  be  found  to  be  acquiring  foreign  tongues, 
or  reading  and  criticising  Carlyle,  as  well  as  current 
French  and  German  authors. 

Early  in  1838  Mr.  Brookfield  changed  his  curacy 
from  Holyrood  to  All  Saints,  and  about  this  period 
Lord  Lyttelton  wrote  to  him : 

LONDON, 

April  9th,  1838. 
My  dear  Brookfield, 

I  can  hardly  hope  that  your  non-reading  of 
newspapers  can  have  extended  so  far  as  to  leave  you 
still  in  ignorance  of  the  result  of  the  Chancellor's  Medal 
examination,  which  has  now  been  over  ten  days,  and 
my  news  is,  I  fear,  old,  in  which  case  I  can  but  beg 
pardon,  and  intreat  you  to  invent  the  best  excuses 
you  can  for  me,  of  which  the  best  I  will  unscrupulously 
affirm  to  be  the  true  one. 

In  graceful  sunset-metaphor,  you  last  year  hoped 
that  one  of  the  "  golden  disks  "  might  "  find  its  occi- 
dental bed  in  my  breeches  pocket."  Even  so  it  has, 
and  most  strictly  one  of  them — neither  the  first  nor  the 
second,  but  only  one  of  the  Medals,  Vaughan  and  I 

40 


LORD  LYTTELTON 

being  again  equal,*  a  double  dead-heat  with  divers 
examiners  being  a  thing  incontrovertible,  and  consi- 
dering that  he  is  the  pet  of  Arnold,  and  the  year  is 
called  a  good  one,  it  is  all  highly  well.  Now  must  I 
take  heed  that  my  fair  woman  end  not  in  foul  fish  ! 

I  hope  thou  waggest  well  and  livest  pleasant. 
A  tutor  is  coming  for  Bull  even  as  you  came  for  me, 
but  I  fear  he  is  a  dull  youth,  the  tutor  I  mean.  Bull 
hath  my  room  at  Trinity  next  October,  by  the  singular 
benevolence  of  the  Despot,  or  Master. 

Mother  and  sisters  come  to  town  in  May,  she  being 
one  of  the  Queen's  steward-room.  And  so  wag  we. 

I  have  not  quite  left  Cambridge  as  I  keep  my 
rooms  next  term  and  shall  go  there  promiscuously,  but 
my  pleasant  time  is  nearly  gone,  and  its  memory  is 
fragrant  in  my  soul.  On  this  point  I  think  we  agree. 
Much  more  might  be  said,  but  on  one  of  the  dog-days 
it  may  be  spoken  vivis  vocibus. 

Yours  truly, 

LYTTELTON. 

W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Lord  Lyttelton  : 

16th  April,  1838. 

I  have  known  some  pleasures  in  my  life,  sensual, 
moral,  intellectual.  I  have  read  Shakespeare,  I  have 
been  in  love,  I  have  drunk  hock  and  soda-water  in  the 

*  Lord  Lyttelton,  whose  father  had  died  in  '37,  had  written  from 
Trinity  in  March  to  say  :  "  The  Classical  Tripos  came  out  Friday 
evening  to  my  great  glory,  for  I  am  therein  bracketed,  cequalis, 
with  Vaughan,  the  great  man  who  got  the  Craven  before  me  and 
Person's,  etc.,  without  end  in  the  first  place.  This  had  never  been 
done  before,  and  showed  the  closest  possible  race.  There  is  an 
offensive  man  of  Magdalene  called  May,  so  close  to  Vaughan  and 
me  as  to  put  us  in  a  great  fright  about  the  Medals,  but  we  will  see 
what  we  can  do." 

41 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

doggiest  of  the  dog-days, — but  I  never  knew  a  pleasure 
of  a  broader  and  more  jolly  hearted  kind  than  when 
your  medal  sent  its  golden  chime  into  the  ear  of  my 
soul.  You  quote  with  a  good-natured  memory  my 
hopes  expressed  last  year,  and  let  me  indulge  in  the 
pleasant  etheriality  of  supposing  that  the  sincere  good 
wishes  of  a  friend  even  though  they  do  not  take  the 
solemn  form  of  the  "  fervent  prayer  that  availeth 
much  "  are  nevertheless  not  without  a  similar  secret 
influence  invisibly  working  towards  its  own  fulfilment, 
and  then  I  am  not  without  my  share  in  your  most 
honourable  success,  and  may  say  with  Handel's  organ 
blower  "  We  played  that  very  nicely."  I  suppose  they 
will  elect  you  honorary  fellow  !  And  what  audit  you 
will  drink ! 

But  I  am  to  congratulate  you  on  another  event  not 
quite  so  meritorious  but  hardly  less  important  than  the 
medal  winning,  to  wit :  your  attainment  of  legal 
manhood  and  actual  peerage.  I  did  not  forget  the 
31st  March,  but  in  the  wine  crypts  of  my  heart  drank 
full  measure  to  your  well  doing.  I  hope  you  used  your 
new  privileges  moderately  on  that  day, — though  for 
my  part  I  should  have  acted  just  in  the  spirit  of  Jacky 
Kemble,  who,  when  he  was  first  made  M.A.,  visited 
every  place  to  which  masters  had  exclusive  entrance 
that  same  morning,  and  having  got  bumptiously  beery 
in  the  afternoon  proctorised  many  undergraduates 
without  mercy. 

I  should  have  gone  to  the  House,  —  divided  on 
everything, — protested  against  every  division, — per- 
plexed everybody  with  untimely  questions,  bullied 
the  Tories  for  octogenarian  dotards,  the  Whigs  for 
self-seekers  whose  policy  was  their  best  honesty,  and 
Radicals  for  bilge  water  shifting  from  side  to  side 
with  the  motion  of  the  ship.  I  have  no  doubt  you 
acted  much  more  reasonably. 

42 


"  A  WELL-CONDUCTED  CONGREGATION  " 

I  have  not  a  particle  of  fear  about  your  "  fair 
woman  "  ending  after  so  sealy  a  fashion.  I  hope  to 
see  you  yet  shaking  the  dry  bones  in  that  depressingly 
gentlemanlike  upper  house.  You  have  everything  in 
your  favour.  A  repute  to  start  with,  lots  of  courage 
and  animal  spirits,  a  great  faculty  for  acquiring  the 
sort  of  knowledge  and  tact  to  use  it  which  is  needful 
in  such  a  sphere.*  I  am  glad  you  are  going  abroad. 
Hugely  you  will  enjoy  it.  I  am  glad,  too,  because 
that  will  bring  you  here  as  a  point  of  exit.  I  shall  be 
excessively  delighted  to  see  you.  Shall  our  mirth  be 
stinted  ?  I  wot  not. 

Thou  catechist  as  to  my  mode  of  wagging,  "  How 
waggest  thou  ?  "  quoth  he.  Verily  my  waggery  is  in 
this  wise.  I  visit  paupers  and  dispense  thereto  scraps 
of  mutton,  pounds  of  tea,  and  doles  of  bread, — or  haply 
I  compose  sleeping  draughts  for  such  as  dissipating 
their  nights  in  foppery  must  needs  seek  a  little 
comfortable  sleep  in  my  Church  on  Sunday.  I  cannot 
help  saying,  however,  that  mine,  considering  the  great 
size  of  it,  is  an  exceedingly  well-conducted  congrega- 
tion,— for  really  very  few  of  them  snore.  I  discerned 
at  the  very  further  corner  of  it  last  Sunday  your  school 
acquaintance,  Creavy,  who  had  come  barristering. 
I  sought  him  out  afterwards  and  had  pleasant  words 
about  you.  Furthermore,  though  I  am  very  busy 
parochially  and  studiously  I  by  no  means  forswear 
certain  kindly  intercourse  with  my  fellow  creatures 
and  have  a  very  pleasant  time  of  it  and  I  hope  not 
a  useless  one. 

For  any  sake  let  me  see  you  here,  and  drop  me  a 
line  of  premonition,  and  I  will  arrange  for  your  lodg- 
ment. 

So  the  nightingale,  the  bird  of  many  sorrows,  the 
throbbing-breasted,  honey-throated,  mourner  of  the 
grove,  opn,  drvto/uva,  the  loving,  the  intense,  THE 

43 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

BULBUL  taketh  a  tutor,  I  wish  that  tutor  as  much 
happiness  as  I  had,  as  much  kindliness  as  abidest 
between  yourself  and  yours  sincerely, 

W.  H.  B. 

Mr.  Brookfield  also  kept  up  a  correspondence  with 
Thackeray  and  Spedding.  Lord  Lyttelton  came  sev- 
eral times  to  see  him,  and  Alfred  and  Frederick 
Tennyson,  who  often  passed  through  the  town  of 
Southampton,  always  looked  him  up  in  his  lodgings. 
Richard  Chevenix  Trench  he  had  close  by  at  Botley 
Hill,  and  all  these  he  carried  with  him  to  the  Eltons' 
hospitable  board. 

His  engagement  to  Miss  Elton  was  arranged  some 
time  towards  the  end  of  '38,  with  the  natural  stipula- 
tion that  marriage  must  attend  advancement  on  the 
part  of  the  gentleman,  for  they  were  neither  of  them 
well  off.  We  find  in  Mr.  Brookfield's  diary  at  this 
time  : 

Aug.  3Ist. — My  Birthday.  I  wrote  to-day  "  I  stood 
upon  the  lone  shore  yesternight."  Jane  is  at  Forest 
Lodge. 

Sept.  1st.  Jane's  return.  I  wrote  the  lines  after 
dinner  in  her  album. 

2nd.  In  the  veranda  Jane  told  me,  "  Papa  likes 
the  verses  and  says  they  are  like  Coleridge's.  /  think 
them  a  great  deal  better." 

A  portion  of  the  poem  runs  thus  : 

I  stood  upon  the  lone  shore  yesternight 

When  all  was  hushed ; — no  buzzing  night  fly  stirr'd, 

Nor  wandering  wind  benighted  crept  to  ask 

The  wakeful  aspen  leaf  its  homeward  way. 
***** 

44 


ENGAGEMENT  TO  MISS  ELTON 

Then,  with  deep  shame  to  have  forgot  so  long, 

I  thought  of  friends  that,  but  twelve  moons  before, 

Had  been  to  me  but  as  the  golden  vein 

Besides  the  miner's  ken  who  delves  apart. 

I  thought  of  thine  and  thee — that  charmed  ring 

Of  unsour  wisdom,  and  untainted  mirth, 

Of  household  kindliness,  and  truth,  and  love, 

Where  the  winged  hours  forget  they  have  to  die. 

*  *  *  *  * 

And  I  thought  of  one 

On  whose  meek  innocence  and  maiden  youth 
I  have  looked  till  it  hath  grown  to  me,  and  blent 
With  my  more  rugged  nature,  softening  down 
Asperities  that  evil  wisdom  breeds. 

*  *  *  *  » 

I  thought  of  one  and  all  who  round  that  hearth 
Of  smiles,  have  many  a  time  dispelled  my  gloom, 
And  chasing  off  care's  locust  swarm,  have  flung 
Sweet  shine  and  shower  abroad,  till  many  a  patch 
Of  green,  with  here  and  there  a  flower,  hath  gleaned 
Athwart  this  heart  that  had  lain  fallow  long. 

It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  almost  without  exception 
the  companions  of  that  wonderful  "  dawn-golden 
time,"  as  Tennyson  called  it,  at  Cambridge,  wrote 
verse  of  some  kind  or  another,  and  Mr.  Brookfield's 
"  Taking  of  Jerusalem,  The  First  Crusade,"  is  not 
only  elegant  in  its  versification,  but  possesses  also 
dramatic  qualities  of  no  mean  order. 

In  '39  he  went  a  tour  in  France,  during  which  he 
met  and  travelled  with  Fitzgerald. 

Correspondence  had  now  begun  to  be  frequent 
between  the  young  couple,  although  they  lived  side 
by  side,  and  saw  each  other  several  times  a  day,  and 
they  at  this  time  developed  a  clairvoyante  knowledge, 

45 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

bred  of  hope,  as  to  where  and  when  a  better  curacy 
was  likely  to  befall — though  perhaps  more  helpful 
and  powerful  was  the  interest  brought  to  bear  upon  this 
subject  by  Sir  Henry  Dukenfield  and  Mr.  Hallam. 
Early  in  '40  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ward,  of  St.  James',  Picca- 
dilly, approached  Mr.  Brookfield  for  the  second  time, 
and  in  June  he  went  to  London  to  be  inspected,  when 
he  writes  : 

LINCOLN'S  INN, 
LONDON, 

22nd  June,  1840. 
My  dearest  Jenny, 

Arrived  in  town.  Dress — White  Cravat !  At  12 
to  Ward's.  A  most  friendly,  honest  fellow.  He  told 
me,  laughing,  that  he  had  proposed  stealing  a  march 
to  Southampton  on  Saturday  last,  and  so  hearing 
me  unawares  yesterday,  but  he  had  been  prevented 
from  carrying  out  his  plot.  After  much  straight- 
forward talk  we  adjourned  into  the  Church,  I  mounted 
the  reading-desk  and  he  went  into  a  very  far-off  pew — 
the  worst  for  hearing  in  the  Church — and  crouched 
himself  down  to  the  very  floor  while  I  tried  my  voice. 
I  read  two  or  three  stray  verses,  and  uttered  a  few 
words  of  my  own  and  was  just  exclaiming  with  great 
pomp  and  distinct  stentorianism  "  Pray,  sir,  can  you 
hear  every  word  I  say  ?  "  when  suddenly  a  side  door 
opened  and  in  marched  a  bevy  of  lovely  ladies, 
heralded  by  a  pompous  official  who,  seeing  me  holding 
forth  at  this  violent  rate  at  so  thin  an  auditory  (for 
Ward,  my  only  "  dearly  beloved  brother "  present 
was  invisible),  stared,  retreated,  advanced,  laughed; 

while  I  looked  the  colour  of  W after  his   13th 

tumbler.     Meantime  Ward  reappeared  from  his  hiding 
place,  and  we  retired  into  the  Vestry  where  I  agreed 


A  BREAKFAST  WITH  MILNES 

to  dine  with  him  to-night — and  he  robed  for  a  smart 
Christening  of  which  these  bright  damsels  were  spon- 
sors, etc.,  one  of  them  representing  the  Queen,  who 
was  godmother  to  the  baby — but  I  did  not  ask  whose 
it  was — as  Harry  did  of  Mary's.  If  inapprehensive 
consult  Laura  as  to  last  allusion.  Well,  Ward  and  I 
agreed,  of  course — indeed  from  the  beginning  he 
seemed  to  assume  that  I  was  coming  to  him.  Salary, 
however,  only  about  £190.  Settled  to  go  in  October. 

June  24th.  Yesterday  I  went  about  seeing  a  few 
old  friends,  Spedding,  Lushington,  Venables,  Milnes. 
Met  Garden.  Dined  with  Wilberforce.  Robert  and 
Henry  and  their  wives  there. 

I  am  at  this  moment  balancing  between  joining  the 
Cambridge  body  to  present  an  address  to  the  Queen, 
and  going  to  a  meeting  where  I  should  see  and  hear 
Carlyle.  I  am  almost  afraid  and  a  little  ashamed  to 
say  that  the  former  may  carry  the  day  with  the  South- 
ampton Clodhopper — I  have  at  least  gone  so  far  as  to 
borrow  a  gown  to  go  to  the  Palace  in.  I  breakfast 
with  Milnes  to-morrow  morning,  where  we  are  to  have 
some  exhibition  of  mesmerism  as  I  understand — I 
don't  exactly  know  what — but  something  amusing 
no  doubt  it  will  be. 

Later.  Breakfasted  with  Venables  and  Lushington, 
at  one  joined  deputation  from  Cambridge  with  addresses 
to  Court.  At  7  to  Thackeray,  13  Great  Coram  St. 

»•  • 

When  he  went  to  visit  his  old  parish  of  Maltby,  and 
while  he  was  staying  with  Miss  Thackeray,  and  dining 
with  Montgomery,  etc.,  Miss  Elton  wrote  : 

47 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

CLIFTON,  1840. 

Aug.  3rd.  Saturday  I  was  rustling  along  the  burning 
pavement  (in  my  silk  gown  very  greatly  refreshed 
and  furbished  up  into  an  exceeding  juvenility  and 
smartness),  when  I  beheld  a  familiar  face  the  opposite 
side  of  the  street,  and  discovered  Uncle  Orton  (Burke's 
brother,  you  know,  but  as  unlike  as  possible),  a  fid- 
getting — most  amusingly  womanish — thin  old  bache- 
lor, who  met  me  with  hands  extended  and  saying 
"  I  believe — I  think — I  might  have  ventured  to  give 
you  an  Uncle's  salute,  not  having  seen  you  for  so  long, 
but  as  we  are  not  alone — I  thought  you  would  not  like 
it."  Imagine  an  old  man  of  65  !  piquing  himself  on 
wearing  his  own  hair  still  untinged  with  grey,  and 
arranged  Brutus  like  in  crisped  curls,  over  which  he 
stands,  curling  iron  in  hand,  daily,  at  the  glass, — an 
alert  little  mincing  step  and  speckless  clothes  and 
hands,  distinguish  him  likewise  from  E.  Burke, — while 
he  is  quite  as  good-natured  in  his  little  ways,  slipping 
J  sovereigns  into  one's  hand  unexpectedly,  etc. 


Back  again  in  Southampton  in  order  to  finish  up 
things  there  before  leaving,  Mr.  Brookfield  records — 

26th.  Alfred  Tennyson  arrived  to-day  and  joined 
us  at  Elton's  in  the  evening.  I  having  fetched  him 
from  the  Castle  Inn  up  thither. 

27th.  My  father  and  mother  arrive  by  rail.  Dine 
at  home.  While  A.  Tennyson  dines  at  Elton's.  In 
the  evening  I  go  to  E.'s  to  fetch  him  down  and  he  and 
I  smoke  while  my  father  sits  with  us. 

28th.  To  Elton's  to  fetch  Jane  down  to  call  upon 
my  mother,  thence  to  Church  with  Jane.  In  the 
evening  I  and  father  and  mother  dine  at  Elton's.  Alfred 

48 


ST.  JAMES'S,  PICCADILLY 

during  the  afternoon  having  accompanied  my  father 
about  the  town,  but  he  left  at  nine  o'clock  for  Havre. 
It  was  during  this  visit  that  the  young  poet  went  up 
to  Charles  Elton  and  said,  putting  his  hand  upon  his 
host's  bald  head,  "  You  must  have  done  many  a  foolish 
thing  in  your  time  with  that  great  big  bump  of  bene- 
volence of  yours." 

The  departure  of  Mr.  Brookfield  from  Southampton 
was  marked  by  meetings,  speeches,  etc.  ;  a  silver 
teapot,  one  hundred  guineas,  and  a  set  of  robes  were 
bestowed  upon  him,  and  he  went  away  for  many 
reasons  regretfully,  regretted  by  many. 

But  once  in  London  a  busy  satisfactory  life  opened 
out  before  him.  He  was  immediately  set  to  work 
upon  Lord  Lyttelton's  Committee  (his  Lordship  was 
putting  up  for  the  High  Stewardship  of  Cambridge) 
and  Mr.  Brookfield  describes  his  daily  duties  thus  : 

ST.  JAMES'  VESTRY, 

22  Oct.,  1840. 

Really,  Jane,  it  becomes  a  serious  consideration 
whether  the  fact  that  living  together  at  some  future 
time  will  put  an  end  to  your  letter  writing  ought  not 
to  weigh  against  any  such  project.  You  seem  to  get 
droller  and  more  charming  every  time.  If  I  were  not 
too  proud  (and  prudent)  I  should  confess  that  I  was  a 
leeeetle  bit  disappointed  not  to  hear  yesterday.  What 
do  you  mean,  you  ugly  slut,  by  the  insulting  insinua- 
tion, "  You  seem  to  be  a  very  grand  Person,  I  wonder 
what  in  the  world  you  have  to  do  ?  " — Go,  ask  the  water 
wheel  of  a  mill  what  it  has  to  do — the  horn  of  a  fly — 
the  main  spring  of  a  watch — the  rudder  of  a  man-of- 
war — the  soul  of  a  body — what  they  have  to  do.  Why, 

49 

5— (2309) 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

I  am  Secretary  of  a  Committee  consisting  of  Lords 
and  Marquisses  and  red-fisted  Baronets  and  old  women 
parsons — not  one  of  whom  has  any  more  notion  of 
business  than  that  excellent  and  towering  Patriarch* 
whom  you  so  much  resemble  in  everything  but  cigar 
smoking  and  varicose  veins.  Think  what  I  should 
have  to  do  in  a  Committee  consisting  exclusively  of 
such  people  as  your  Father — Harry  and  yourself — 
interspersed  with  Male  Nickleby's,  whose  imbecility 
in  practical  work  is  only  equalled  by  their  fidgety 
interruptions  to  those  who  can  do  something.  I  have 
to  discover  wants  and  to  meet  them,  I  have  to  invent 
like  an  orator,  to  write  like  a  scrivener,  to  run  about 
like  an  errand  boy  in  search  of  a  place,  and  to  bow  and 
scrape  and  button  hole  and  smirk  like  Peter  Dickson. 
I  haven't  washed  save  my  finger  ends  and  a  part  of  my 
face  about  the  size  of  a  small  mask  this  three  weeks. 
I  beg  your  pardon  for  this — but  "  Truth  is  truth," 
etc.  (Simple  Susan) — Look  at  one  day's  Biography. 
Yesterday  I  rose  at  7.  Hurried  to  British  Coffee  House 
— thence  to  an  eating  house  like  that  from  which 
Burke  supplies  his  huge  nieces  with  midday  food — 
and  breakfasted  and  read  newspapers.  At  9  to 
Vestry,  married,  read  prayers,  Christened,  Churched. 
Wrote  certificates,  etc.,  till  12J.  Then  to  Committee 
Room,  writing,  arranging,  bowing,  scraping,  this- 
and  the  other,  solving  perplexities  and  arranging 
disarrangements  till  3.  Then  to  Church  again  to  read 
till  3J,  then  to  WILTSHIRE  eating  house  again,  munch- 
ing and  reading  till  four.  This  early  dinner  to  prevent 
my  being  disturbed  afterwards.  At  four  to  Committee 
again,  dispatches  from  Cambridge  to  receive,  act 
upon  and  answer  by  post  which  closes  even  at  the  main 
offices  before  6.  Fortunately  Lyttelton  arrived  at  7J 

*  Her  father. 
50 


THE  LYTTELTON  COMMITTEE 

and  helped  me  out  of  a  difficulty;  for  I  was  just  altering 
his  address  (for  which  see  to-day's  Chronicle)  upon  my 
own  Authority  ; — he,  however,  adopted  the  amend- 
ments himself  which  relieved  me  from  an  uncomfort- 
able responsibility.  Well,  with  him  I  stay  till  8J, 
then  he  and  some  Committee  men  go  off  to  Dinner, 
leaving  me  to  do  the  remaining  work,  the  most  labor- 
ious of  all,  getting  things  into  the  Papers.  Which 
occupied  me  till  lOf.  Not  that  I  blame  them — because 
I  was  the  fittest  person  to  do  that  part  of  the  work. 
Well,  at  10J  I  step  into  a  Tavern,  order  Sausages  and 
Stout  (stout — a  strong  sort  of  Porter),  read  Evening 
Paper ; — and  so  home  and  into  Bed ; — sleep  sound 
and  with  the  self-satisfied  feeling  of  a  "  Labourer  " — 
and  at  7  this  morning  commenced  the  same  round 
again. 

It  is  a  comfort  having  Lyttelton  here — whom  we 
sent  for  by  Post  only  the  night  before  ;  but  still  we 
want  a  good  old  experienced  guide  in  Committee 
work. 

I  have  plenty  of  work  in  me — but  no  experience  ; 
and  my  masters  at  Head  quarters  (Cambridge)  are  not 
much  better.  I  have  here  in  Committee — Rev.  Mr. 
Hughes,  a  good-natured  old  Cambridge  Twaddle, 
Ralph  Neville,  a  young  willing  hand,  but  "  raw,"  as 
Osrick  says,  Lord  John  Manners,  much  the  same — all 
very  willing,  good-natured,  unaffected  help-mates — 
but  none  of  them  used  to  the  thing  ;  and  I  have  to 
lead — to  which  I  do  not  feel  competent ;  however,  I  am 
doing  my  best — and  this  incessant  work  I  enjoy  very 
much,  and  am  in  better  health  than  for  a  long  time 
past.  I  have  made  this  discovery  as  to  letter  writing, 
which  I  believe  others  have  made  long  before,  that 
to  write  a  letter  takes  just  the  time  that  you  have, 
be  the  same  more  or  less.  This  you  may  say  with  a 
smile  militates  against  my  theory  laid  down  to  you 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

the  other  day.  But  remember  that  these  letters  of 
which  I  speak,  though  written  within  a  limited  time 
and  somewhat  rapidly,  are  not  therefore  slovenly 
executed,  but  carefully  and  thoughtfully  though 
promptly — as  being  for  the  eye  of  others  who  may  not 
be  so  indulgent  as  my  sweetest  of  all  possible  Jennies. 
What !  a  fourth  sheet !  This  illustrates  "  The  poorer 
a  man  is  the  more  he  gives  "  for  I  have  not  a  moment 
to  spare  and  am  writing  (for  me)  a  very  long  letter. 

I  was  in  considerable  alarm  when  Ld.  John  Man- 
ners told  me  the  Election  of  Steward  would  be  on  the 
5th  November  ; — for  of  course  I  could  not  have  voted 
on  that  day  without  leaving  South' ton  the  moment 
after  the  Wedding  was  solemnized* — but  Blakesley 
writes  me  that — "  It  cannot  by  possibility  occur  before 
the  5th,  and  that  it  is  probable  (but  not  ascertained) 
that  it  may  be  on  the  llth  November,"  which  would 
suit  me  very  well. 

I  have  just  looked  off  my  paper  to  look  at  the 
clock  which  ticks  against  the  vestry  wall.  Doing  so 
has  entirely  destroyed  the  flow  of  my  ideas — which 
have  had  (or  rather  my  words,  for  I  cannot  answer 
for  the  ideas  and  have  not  a  moment  to  review  what 
I  have  said)  a  pretty  rush  rather  than  flow  for  the  last 
thirty  minutes — after  marrying  three  couple — reading 
morning  Service  and  Churching  a  hapless  daughter  of 
Eve.  I  shall  not  write  to-morrow.  Ever,  my  dear, 
gentle,  peaceable,  calm,  washed  and  clean-linened, 
Lady  in  a  bower — your  deliquescent — squalid — un- 
washt — unshaven — dirty  flannelled — unchanged-stock- 
ined  Secretary. 

W.  H.  B. 

*  Jane  Elton's  sister,  Laura,  was  to  marry  Mr.  Charles  Grey, 
of  the  family  of  Earl  Grey,  and  Mr.  Brooklield  had  promised  to 
perform  the  ceremony. 

52 


A  LETTER  IN  THE  "  CHRONICLE  " 

W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Jane  O.  Elton  : 

ST.  JAMES'  VESTRY, 

PICCADILLY, 

24  Oct.,  1840. 
My  darling  Jenny, — 

Your  Father  will  be  pleased  to  know  that  I  begin 
to  think  the  M.  Chronicle  by  far  the  best  written  of 
the  Morning  Papers.  I  don't  know  whether  you  would 
distinguish  that  coup  de  Maitre  in  that  beautifully 
printed  article  on  Lord  Lyttelton — written  in  obedience 
to  an  order  from  Cambridge  "  to  work  the  Eton  prin- 
ciple,'— i.e.  to  make  the  most  of  Ld.  L.  having  been 
an  Etonian — likewise  we  were  rather  alarmed  at  the 
virulent  articles  against  Lyndhurst  which  might  irritate 
the  Tories  among  whom  we  have  many  supporters, 
and  therefore  that  communication  was  written  as  being 
supposed  to  be  in  better  tone.  The  Editor,  Mr.  Black, 
was  very  praiseful  to  me  about  it,  and  said  that  the 
moment  he  read  it  he  had  sent  it  up  "  to  be  put  in  large 
type  in  a  conspicuous  part  of  the  Paper  " — and  ex- 
pressed himself  very  much  obliged  for  it. 

I  cannot  at  all  tell  you  the  comparative  chances  of 
the  two  Candidates.  We  shall  not  for  a  few  days  be 
able  to  compare  them. 

As  to  Anne  not  being  in  Southampton,  you  lie. 
Business  before  pleasure,  as  King  Dick  said  when  he 
killed  the  King  before  smothering  the  Babbies — 
Therefore  reluctantly  I  bid  thee  adieu,  fair  child.  In 
about  9  days  I  shall  see  thee. 

W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Jane  O.  Elton  : 

BRITISH  COFFEE  HOUSE, 

31  Oct.,  1840. 
My  darling  Jenny, 

I  am  afraid  this  will  again  be  one  of  those  letters 
which  I  am  so  little  desirous  of  your  imitating.  In 

53 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

addition  to  the  daily  calls  upon  me  in  Vestry  and  in 
committee  I  have  had  to  lose  some  time  to-day  in 
attending  with  other  members  of  the  Senate  at  the 
Duke  of  Northumberland's  to  install  him  as  Chancellor 
of  the  University.  It  was  thought  desirable  that 
Ld.  L.'s  committee  should  muster  upon  this  neutral 
ground — otherwise  I  should  not  have  gone.  I  met 
several  old  friends  and  new  (election)  foes,  and  there 
was  a  very  smart  lunch.  The  Vice  Chancellor  (of 
England — i.e.  Shadwell)  came  up  to  me,  and  with  very 
bad  taste  (as  it  was  neutral  ground)  began  talking 
about  the  election — and  spoke  of  the  number  of  their 
(Lyndhurst's)  promises — and  stated  a  very  grossly 
exaggerated  number  in  their  favour.  I  replied  that 
I  considered  myself  only  an  humble  servant  of  the 
Committee  and  not  at  liberty  to  talk  upon  the  subject  ; 
at  that  moment  the  Master  of  Magdalen  (Neville 
Grenville),  overhearing  an  obscure  Curate  assailed  by 
the  Vice  Chancellor,  came  up  and  began  congratulating 
me  on  the  encouraging  prospects  of  Lyttelton's  party — 
for  which  I  was  much  obliged  to  him. 

Ward  was  with  the  Bishop  of  London  yesterday 
and  told  me  this  morning  that  my  name  was  mentioned 
— but  he  reported  nothing  more  important  than  that 
Bishop  remarked — "  Well,  it  is  a  very  pretty  name — 
you  get  Gardens  and  Brookfields  and  everything  rural 
and  romantic." 

Really,  Jenny,  I  must  come  to  a  reluctant  close  ; 
but  a  bustling  committee  room  where  great  big  youths 
keep  coming  to  look  over  my  shoulder  supposing 
that  I  am  writing  a  dispatch,  and  with  quick  eyes  for 
any  ultra  passionate  phraseology  is  not  the  place  for 
writing  as  one  feels. 

Wherefore  adieu. 

Ever  thine, 

W.  H.  B. 
54 


BACK  AT  CAMBRIDGE 

W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Jane  O.  Elton  : 

CAMBRIDGE, 

12  Nov.,  1840. 
My  darling  Jenny, 

Tho'  not  so  bewilderingly  disabled  by  engagements 
and  want  of  time  as  yesterday,  I  still  cannot  hope  to 
get  thro'  anything  better  than  a  shabby  note  as  I  am 
every  moment  liable  to  be  called  into  active  fight — to 
slay  a  Lyndhurst  or  work  up  a  wavering  Lytteltonian. 
I  have,  in  short,  to  sit  in  harness — with  loins  girt  and 
sword  upon  my  thigh,  and  in  such  position  cannot 
possibly  write  you  a  real  letter  ;  nevertheless,  instead 
of  grumping  like  an  Evangelical  about  what  we  cannot 
do,  let  us,  like  a  good  Christian,  make  the  best  of  what 
moments  we  have  and  do  what  little  we  can  do. 

I  got  here  in  time  to  vote — i.e.  before  four — and 
then  scribbled  a  few  hurried  business  letters,  almost, 
I  fear,  unintelligible.  I  then  sate  in  Trinity  Hall,  a 
terrible  crowd  and  scramble,  and  I  could  not  have 
got  any  dinner  if  I  had  wanted  it.  To  Magdalene  at 
7 — not  to  the  Hall  but  to  the  Master's  Lodge,  as  all 
Masters  of  Colleges'  residences  are  called,  and  found 
myself  in  company  that  would  have  enchanted  a  tuft 
hunter  (I  can't  resist  college  phraseology  here).  There 
was  THE  HON.  and  Rev.  the  Master — LADY  Charlotta 
Neville  (his  wife) — LADY  Caroline  or  Louisa  (or  heaven 
knows  what)  Legge.  Loads  of  Miss  Nevilles — Arch- 
deacon Brymer — THE  HON.  Wm.  Lyttelton — and  chief 
of  all  the  young  Lady  Lyttelton,  to  whom  I  was  spe- 
cially introduced  and  sate  next  at  dinner.  She  is 
charming.  I  liked  her  excessively.  Lyttelton  came 
in  in  the  course  of  the  evening  and  towards  ten  o'clock 
I  found  myself  once  or  twice  talking  downright  non- 
sense in  a  sort  of  eye-open  sleep,  and  Ld.  L.  being  in 
similar  condition  of  slumbrousness,  we  both  retired — 
he  to  Trinity  Lodge  where  he  sleeps — and  I  to  a  little 

55 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

room  I  had  had  the  luck  to  get  in  the  town.  I  slept 
like  the  grave,  and  rose  this  morning  quite  refreshed 
and  very  CHEERFUL  !  which  you  know  is  my  disposi- 
tion. I  breakfasted  with  Archdeacon  Thorp — then 
with  Merivale — was  invited  to  do  so  at  Magdalene, 
but  was  too  hungry  to  wait  for  10  o'clock,  and  so  did 
not  go  at  all. 

Lyttelton  told  me  that  in  his  Sermon  last  Sunday 
Ward  quoted  from  mine  of  the  Sunday  but  one  before 
— by  memory  he  referred  to  it,  saying  :  "  As  you  heard 
lately  in  a  sermon  on  the  duty  of  combining  the  Christ- 
ian virtues  upon  the  text  '  Add  to  your  faith,  etc.'  ' 
This  is  very  unusual  nowadays,  and  was  more  of  a 
compliment  than  I  am  accustomed  to  from  Church 
monsters — (I  only  mean  great  men  in  the  Church). 
Fancy  Shaddy  quoting  anything  of  mine  except  to 
warn  the  people  not  to  remember  it. 

We  are  being  entirely  beaten  as  we  deserve,  for 
not  having  acted  as  a  Committee  more  wisely — 
energetically  and  promptly.  Still,  I  hope  that  Ld.  L. 
will  poll  as  many  votes  as  Cavendish  did  for  the  repre- 
sentation of  the  University  in  Parliament.  Our  minor- 
ity will  be  highly  honourable  considered  as  against  a 
man  of  such  stupendous  accomplishments  as  Lynd- 
hurst,  and  we  don't  go  about  with  disappointed  faces, 
but  helping  each  other  to  find  grounds  of  consolation. 

P.S.— Close  of  Poll  to-day. 

Lyndhurst— 923. 
Lyttelton  —457. 

This  comes  entirely  of  my  coming  to  Southamp- 
ton !  !  !  I  hope  I  shall  never  marry  Laura  again. 

Good-bye,  dearest. 


RETURN  TO  LONDON 

W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Jane  O.  Elton  : 
188,  PICCADILLY, 

(not  but  that  I  am  in  the 
Vestry). 

14  Nov.,  1840. 
My  dearest  Glum, 

A  few  words  I  will  write  if  no  more  —  (though  I'll 
be  hanged  if  I  allow  myself  to  get  into  a  trick  of  daily 
writing)  just  to  say  that  I  arrived  last  night  and  to 
demand  your  sympathy  for  my  sufferings  outside  the 
Rocket  from  three  to  9J  p.m.  I  had  been  invited  to 
dine  at  Magdalene  Lodge  again  for  yester  evening — to 
kiss  away  Lady  L.'s  tears — but  I  thought  you  might 
be  displeased  so  came  away.  Milnes  having  arrived, 
who  is  always  a  great  flatterer  of  mine,  made  a  great 
temptation  to  stay — but  I  thought  it  well  to  secure 
a  quiet  day  before  Sunday.  I  enjoyed  my  visit  much 
more  than  I  expected,  but  I  could  not  help  being 
vexed  (as  far  as  my  BUOYANCY  of  spirits  coupled  with 
my  MATURITY  of  judgment  would  allow)  at  having  been 
brought  up  from  Southampton  from  so  much  more 
enjoyment  for  so  little  purpose.  Lyttelton  did  not 
seem  much  floored  by  his  defeat,  but  had  wished  very 
much  to  have  a  minority  not  less  than  500,  whereas 
ours  was  488  against  973 — Lady  L.  was  more  dis- 
appointed— but  not  distressingly  so.  I  was  at  the 
Lodge  the  morning  of  my  coming  away. 

W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Jane  O.  Elton  : 

188,  PICCADILLY, 

25  Nov.,  1840. 
My  dearest  Jenny, 

I  called  yesterday  afternoon  on  my  solitary  way 
for  a  walk  in  the  Park — what  hour  the  lamps  began  to 
supersede  the  orb  of  day — upon  the  Duchess.  I  went 
in  my  cloak,  my  great  mark  of  identity,  that  I  might 

57 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

not  be  let  in  by  mistake,  and  I  left  a  card  inscribed  with 
no  dangerous  legibility  and  pursued  my  walk.  In  the 
evening  I  dined  with  Robinson  at  St.  James',  he  being 
on  guard  again.  It  was  a  very  pleasant  mess — there 
were  present  five  guardsmen  and  one  lifeguard.  Dinner 
excellent.  Wine  potent.  Curate  drunk. 

Your  letter  is  quite  commensurate  with  your  high 
reputation  with  Arthur  and  myself.  Easy — natural — 
excellently  expressed  and  amiably  conceived.  I  wish 
I  could  write  half  as  well  as  you,  and  that  you  could 
spell  half  as  well  as  I.  As  to  the  "  Where  "* — all  the 
ingenuity  of  a  special  pleader — all  the  waters  that  ever 
wallowed  in  the  great  deep — all  the  penknives  that 
were  ever  fashioned — all  the  playful  smiles  of  the 
sweetest  of  all  supposeable  Jenny's  cannot  avail  to 
efface  either  from  the  paper  itself  or  from  its  duplicate 
in  my  memory  the  superfluous  AITCH  which  in  your 
reckless  liberality  you  bestowed  upon  the  second  person 
of  the  imperfect  tense  number  of  the  verb  to  be. 
Prospero  says  to  Caliban  '  I'll  fill  thy  bones  with 
aches  " — which  John  Kemble  affected  to  pronounce 
"  aitches  " — because  the  rhythm  demanded  two  syl- 
lables. But  what  has  the  poor  verb  done  that  you 
should  treat  it  as  the  Magician  threatened  his  recursant 
slave  ?  Think  not  by  referring  to  my  past  misfortunes 
and  disappointments  to  divert  attention  from  your 
present  follies,  and  allow  me  to  add  that  if  you  ever 
come  to  reside  amongst  the  cockneys  you  will  find 
that  aitches  are  not  so  plentiful  as  to  admit  of  your 
lavishing  them  where  there  is  no  need  of  such  vanity. 

Mine  is  one  of  the  few  bay  windows  hereabouts — 
and  looks  a  long  way  down  Piccadilly  (or  as  Artillery 
people  say,  "  rakes  "  it)  right  and  left.  The  roar  of 

*  In  her  last  letter  she  had  asked  him  ingenuously,  "  W&ere  you 
ever  in  love  with  the  Duchess  ?  " 

58 


VIEWS  ON  OXFORD 

Carriages  is  perpetual — incessant  like  the  ocean — 
but  I  got  instantly  used  to  it — and  indeed  do  not 
remember  once  to  have  felt  any  interruption  from  it. 
But  you  well  know  my  sweet  cheerful  turn  of  mind  that 
turns  everything  I  touch  into  sunshine.  By  George, 
if  I  would  have  turned  anything  into  sunshine  this 
morning  it  would  have  been  convenient — for  it  was  so 
dark  with  fog  (and  that  not  one  of  the  real  live  Egypto- 
London  fogs  either)  that  I  had  candles  till  11  o'clock. 
But  to  return  to  this  cheerfulness  which  is  so  often  the 
theme  of  your  scorn — altho'  I  do  at  this  moment  most 
fondly  wish  I  were  where  I  could  pull  your  nose  to 
the  inversely  proportionate  disgust  and  delight  of 
yourself  and  Edmund  respectively,  yet  I  must  needs 
be  happy  here  and  for  this  reason  mainly — that  I  am 
actively  and  usefully  employed, — and  to  the  ample 
satisfaction  of  my  employer.  Let  neither  of  us  repine 
at  temporary  separations  which  many  have  to  endure 
under  far  less  tolerable  circumstances.  But  let  us  be 
thankful  for  what  we  have,  contented  for  what  we 
have  not,  and  so  go  on  loving  and  hoping  to  our  lives' 
end. 

W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Jane  O.  Elton  : 

188,  PICCADILLY, 

Xmas  Eve,  1840. 
My  darling  Jane, 

Yesterday  as  soon  as  I  had  finished  my  letter 
to  you  I  took  a  pretty  long  frosty  walk  with  W's 
oxford  son  round  Regent's  Park — but  if  I  should  round 
a  desert  of  Arabia  Petraea,  it  would  be  all  the  same 
to  your  poor  rustic  wits  for  any  idea  which  it  can 
give  you  of  the  direction  in  which  I  travelled.  I  found 
him  very  oxford — which  I  can't  for  the  life  of  me  help 
spelling  with  a  little  o — and  indeed  I  utterly  despair 
of  ever  seeing  a  halfpenny  worth  of  vigorous  and 

59 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

apprehensive  mind  from  that  precious  school  of  gentil- 
ity, and  I  never  speak  to  one  of  her  graceful  children 
without  thinking  of  Venables'  (a  Cambridge  friend  of 
mine)  modest  remark — "  I  often  wonder  what  we  have 
done  to  deserve  being  gifted  as  we  are  so  much  above 
those  cursed  idiotic  oxford  brutes." 

This  nonsense  is  hardly  congruous  with  Xmas  eve 
and  its  catholic  charities — wherefore  I  will  conclude 
with  a  sincere  and  heartfelt  desire  that  we  had  better 
clothes  and  they  better  understandings. 

In  the  evening  I  dined  at  a  Mr.  Smedley's  of  this 
parish — rather  correctish,  or  as  Caroline  would  say, 
"  Tidy  "  sort  of  people,  but  though  they  were  agreeable 
and  good  natured  and  all  that,  I  was  not  particularly 
sorry  when  the  evening  came  to  a  close.  There  were 
half  a  dozen  people  there,  all  very  "  well  behaved  " — 
like  Rogers,  but  not  sufficiently  characteristic  to 
justify  description.  I  believe  I  am  indebted  to  a  lady 
in  Yorkshire  for  the  acquaintance. 

W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Jane  O.  Elton  : 

188,  PICCADILLY, 

28  Dec.,  40. 
My  dearest  Jenny, 

I  received  your  twopenny  at  the  happy  hour  of 
breakfast  this  morning — most  charming  and  brilliant 
— and  will  form  a  very  eclipsing  contrast  to  this  present 
writing  which  will  not — I  forsee — emit  one  single 
scintillation.  I  am  to  take  as  much  exercise  as  I  can 
bear,  plain  diet  and  wine  as  may  seem  to  agree. 
So  on  the  strength  of  the  last  instruction  I  think  I  shall 
this  evening  rival  the  poor  married  Lieutenant  at 
Portsmouth  (Bell  knew  him)  who,  on  being  asked  (by 
the  Doctor)  if  he  drank  wine  replied — "  No — never — 
except  indeed  when  he  was  invited  to  dine  with  the 
Mess — when  he  generally  took  a  few  bottles." 

60 


NEW  YEAR'S  WISHES 

I  am  glad  you  liked  Venables'  ejaculation — but 
I  must  have  told  it  you  my  last  visit  but  one,  which 
was  just  after  he  had  said  it  to  me.  But  it  is  utterly 
impossible  on  paper  to  convey  the  slow  utterance — 
the  characteristic  lisp — the  quiet  unconscious  good 
faith — with  which  the  saying  was  said.  His  mind 
not  in  the  least  engaged  with  the  fact  of  Cambridge 
superiority — which  was  far  too  matter-of-course  a 
thing  to  dwell  upon — but  solely  with  speculation  upon 
the  cause.  "  I  wonder  what  thee  Devil  we've  done," 
etc.  I  believe  that  Oxford  minds  are  not  considered 
to  have  any  value  but  such  as  arises  (as  in  Turnspit 
dogs)  from  their  extreme  rarity.  Arthur  may  have 
met  one  by  chance  in  London — but  they  are  so  exceed- 
ingly unremarkable  that  he  might  readily  have  over- 
looked it. 

W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Jane  O.  Elton  : 

188,  PICCADILLY, 

31  Dec.,  1840. 
My  darling  Child, 

A  few  words  I  must  write  to-night — partly  because 
I  shall  have  little  if  any  opportunity  to-morrow — 
and  partly  because  they  are  the  last  I  can  have  with  you 
this  year.  Meantime,  no  doubt,  you  too  have  written 
your  last  of  1840,  and  it  is  already  on  its  way  to  me. 
In  a  few  minutes  we  shall  have  entered  upon  another 
year  of  our  love.  I  would  to  God  that  I  were  permitted 
to  see  plainly  some  more  fixed  and  smooth  course  for 
that  love  to  travel  in.  My  most  dear  child,  let  us 
both  try  henceforward  by  patient  acquiescence  in  the 
will  of  Heaven — and  by  strenuous  endeavour  to  do  our 
several  duties  to  become  less  undeserving  of  what  we 
both  desire. 

There  it  goes — the  dear  old  year — my  blessing  go 
with  it.  Many,  many  happiest  returns  of  the  new 

61 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

one  to  you,  my  darling  child.  May  God  Almighty 
bless  it  to  you  and  enable  us  both  to  make  the  best  of 
it — and  crowd  it  with  every  good  and  perfect  gift — 
making  us  grateful  for  them  if  they  come  and  resigned 
and  humble  if  they  do  not. 

My  own  dear  Jane.  I  have  no  words  that  are 
enough,  but  I  will  pray  for  you  and  myself,  that  we 
may  be  strengthened  in  all  goodness  and  share  together 
all  happiness  that  is  fit  for  us  now  and  always. 

God  bless  you,  my  dearest — good-night. 

1  Jan.,  1841. 

8J  a.m. 

My  dear  girl,  you  ought  to  be  the  first  I  speak  to 
this  new  year  as  you  were  the  last  in  the  old  one.  So 
once  more  a  thousand  fond  and  affectionate  wishes  to 
you.  I  hope  that  you  are  also  up  and  brisk  this 
morning — beginning  the  year  well  by  meeting  it  in  the 
face — early  and  "  promptly  " — and  that  you  mean 
to  earn  in  some  measure  the  enjoyment  of  it  by  being 
as  the  Apostle  says  "  temperate  in  all  things."  Tem- 
perance, you  know,  is  not  abstinence,  but  well  pro- 
portioned use  of  things.  So  you  are  to  take  enough 
food — enough  raiment — enough  exercise — enough  soci- 
ety— and  little  enough  dreaming — little  enough  looking 
at  the  red  embers.  But  this  is  not  a  gracious  way  of 
beginning  the  year  on  my  part,  sweetest  girl,  who  owe 
thee  every  tenderest  and  most  considerate  courtesy. 
If,  however,  you  know  how  I  love  and  prize  you,  you 
will  not  heed  a  little  well  meant  impertinence. 

It  is  only  as  compared  with  yourself  and  what  you 
easily  may  be  that  I  ever  find  any  fault  in  you.  I 
never  compare  you  with  others. 

I  am  now  seated  at  breakfast  by  a  nice  flapping 
fire.  It  will  be  near  two  hours  before  I  get  your  letter 
— which  I  am  somehow  more  impatient  for  this  morning 

62 


NEW  YEAR'S  DAY 

than  usual.     Perhaps  I  shall  find  a  few  moments  to 
acknowledge  it.     So  farewell  Jenks — Hail  muffin. 

4  p.m. 

Gifford  preached  this  morning  —  and  the  moment 
he  had  read  his  text  a  woman  rose  from  the  free  sittings 
in  the  middle  aisle  and  exclaimed  "  Those  words  were 
upon  my  mind  just  before  you  uttered  them,  precisely 
those  words."  Folks  looked  astonished,  but  the  crea- 
ture sate  down  again  and  all  proceeded  quietly. 

I  beg  to  inform  you  that  Lord  John  Manners  is  at 
Belvoir  Castle — which  noble  mansion  was  the  seat  of 
his  ancestors  at  a  time  when 

Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob  Elton, 

So  far  from  having  sword  or  belt  on 

Had  scarcely  more  clothes  than  a  bare  legg'd  Celt  on 

And  worn-out  shoes  that  had  no  welt  on  ; 

Their  uncomb'd  heads  with  no  morsel  of  felt  on  ; 

Vile  as  the  dust  which  begging  they  knelt  on. 

Henceforth  learn  to  respect  my  weak  point.  Don't 
gird  me  about  LORD  JOHN  MANNERS. 

Bless  thee,  a  million  times,  my  sweet  love. 

Good-bye, 

W.  H.  B. 


CHAPTER  III 

Family  skeletons.  Tearing  off  a  Knocker.  A  complacent  lady. 
A  Diplomatic  act.  A  speech  by  Brougham.  Monckton  Mimes' 
kindness.  A  breakfast  with  Rogers.  The  Prince  Consort.  Alfred 
Tennyson.  First  meeting  with  Carlyle.  The  Duke  of  Cambridge. 
"  Humphrey's  Clock."  Henley  Regatta.  Sterling  Club.  Emily 
Tennyson's  marriage.  Dr.  Pusey.  Wedding  Bells. 

Jane  O.  Elton  to  W.  H.  Brookfield  : 

SOUTHAMPTON, 

12  Jan.,  41. 
Dearest  Mr.  Brookfield, 

Arthur  and  Edmund  also  Harry  went  to  the 
Soiree  last  night.  On  Friday  Arthur  is  going  to 
Lymington  to  dine  and  sleep  at  Captain  Willis's  (R.N.) 
who  has  a  cottage  there,  and  to  go  to  a  ball  at  Mrs. 
Hare's  in  the  neighbourhood,  which  is  to  be  rather 
a  grand  affair,  I  believe.  She  happens  to  be  a  distant 
cousin  of  ours,  by  name  Reid,  Grandpapa's  mother 
was  a  Miss  Reid,  and  had  a  nephew  also  named  Reid 
whose  wife  was  so  obliging  as  to  poison  him  with 
arsenic  thereby  obtaining  his  property  and  marrying 
a  footman  to  whom  she  had  long  been  attached.  We 
had  an  old  trial  cut  out  of  a  newspaper  in  the  house 
once,  of  Mrs.  Reid  for  the  murder  of  her  husband,  but 
— very  iniquitously — she  was  acquitted  with  1,000 
proofs  against  her.  I  believe  she  was  pretty  and 
cried  and  fainted,  and  so  the  Judge  was  entirely 
"  melted  " — but  it  was  a  crying  shame,  worse  than 
Mme.  Laffarge,  that  she  was  not  duly  hanged  for  her 
crimes.  We  had  this  trial  till  very  lately  (that  is  till 
five  years  ago)  but  when  I  was  14,  I  very  naturally 

64 


A  BLOT  ON  THE  ESCUTCHEON 

took  a  dislike  to  seeing  this  old  record  of  family  crime 
lying  about  the  house — and  one  evening  burnt  it ! 
I  thought  poor  Papa  would  have  gone  distracted  when 
told  that  this  valued  trial  was  burnt.  "It  is  quite 
rare — seldom  to  be  met  with,  was  given  me  by  Richard 
Smith*  (a  favourite  of  Papa's,  a  Bristol  surgeon,) 
I  would  not  have  lost  it  for  £100,"  etc.,  etc.  Well,  I 
have  told  you  a  long  story  but  you  see  by  degrees 
you  become  acquainted  with  all  the  "  Blots  "  there 
may  be  upon  our  "  Family  Escutcheon."  I  told  you 
the  story  of  "  Andrew  or  the  Mysteries  "  not  long  ago,  and 
here  I  have  given  you  another  blot  in  the  shape  of 
Mrs.  Reid,  of  whom  may  be  said  "  Oh  !  no,  we  never 
mention  her,  her  name  is  never  heard." 


W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Miss  Elton  : 

188  PICCADILLY, 

31  Jan.,  41. 
Dearest  Jane, 

You  are  so  charmingly  encouraging  in  the  way 
you  speak  of  my  most  scurvy  and  hurried  letters  that 
I  sit  down  with  perfectly  reckless  confidence  though 
I  have  not  got  a  thing  to  say  nor,  if  I  was  doing  my 
duty,  a  minute  to  say  it  in. 

I  had  a  letter  from  Trench  this  morning  saying 
that  his  boy  died  yesterday.  When  he  wrote  before 
he  spoke  so  certainly  of  his  being  close  upon  the  article 
of  death  that  I  replied  in  the  presumption  that  he  must 
be  gone — which  however  was  not  the  case.  I  am  to 
insert  it  in  two  or  three  of  the  papers.  Poor  Trench 
says  "  you  cannot  guess  what  a  gap  he  has  left  in  our 
household.  He  was  a  very,  very  dear  little  fellow." 

Your  kind  story  would  have  alarmed  me  but  that 

*  This  Richard  Smith  married  a  sister  of  Maria  Edgeworth. 

65 

6— (2309) 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

on  reflection,  I  think  that  from  your  Grandfather's 
Mother's  Nephew's  Wife — down  to  your  Grandfather's 
Son's  8th  daughter  the  anti-husband  propensity  has  had 
time  and  space  to  lose  some  of  its  active  malignity. 
But  I  should  certainly  make  you  taste  anything  of 
the  broth  or  cake  or  dumpling  kind  before  I  "partook" 
of  it  myself — and  should  insist  upon  your  being  as 
little  as  possible  in  the  kitchen.  But  while  I  am  able 
to  philosophize  about  Mrs.  Burdock-Laffarge-Elton- 
Reid  I  do  not  find  it  so  easy  to  reconcile  myself  to  this 
progressively  horrible  development  of  family  mysteries 
which  may  end  I  know  not  where.  First  it  is  cautiously 
communicated  that  Harry  ran  away  from  school. 
Then  when  that  has  subsided  that  you  have  an  Uncle 
who  plays  upon  the  clarionet.  Thirdly  that  "it  is 
already  proved  and  will  go  near  to  be  believed  shortly" 
(vide  Dogberry)  that  the  wife  of  a  distant  connexion 
of  the  family  was  acquitted  of  poisoning  her  spouse. 
I  shall  expect  next  to  see  part  of  the  rope  in  which  one 
of  you  thought  it  would  be  very  disagreeable  to  hang 
herself.  Do,  dear  Jenny,  let  me  know  the  worst  at 
once  instead  of  leaving  one  upon  the  rack  of  fearful 
conjecture. 

So  you  are  getting  lazy.  There  is  no  being  angry 
at  this  distance — but  if  I  were  at  hand  I  would  give 
you  such  a  scolding  as  should  cure  you  for  some  time 
at  least.  But,  seriously,  Jenny  you  must  make  effort. 
Now  just  tell  me  your  hours  in  your  next.  My 
impression  has  been  most  favourable  and  most 
agreeable  as  to  your  going  on  since  I  left  last.  I  hope 
it  was  well  founded.  I  confess  myself  to  disliking 
the  chin  scrubbing  on  getting  up — and  have  just  begun 
a  compromise  by  getting  through  that  part  before 
getting  into  bed.  For  the  cold  unmitigated  tubbing 
I  do  not  fear  it  much — and  approach  the  vast  rigid 
merciless  looking  pan  of  all  but  frozen  water  pretty 

66 


TEARING  OFF  A  KNOCKER 

much  as  an  old  hardened  thief  goes  to  the  gallows. 
But  I  dare  not  resist  either  scrub  or  tub  for  fear  of 
losing  the  charm  of  habit. 

To-night  I  go  to  an  old  college  acquaintance,  W. 
Pearson,  who  married  Lady  Angela  somebody — the 
daughter  of  a  disputed  peer. 

W.  B. 

Miss  Elton  to  W.  H.  Brookfield  : 

SOUTHAMPTON, 

14th  Jan.,  41. 

The  noise  of  the  carriages  kept  me  awake  half  the 
night,  and  at  half-past  eight  I  should  still  have  been 
catching  up  my  lost  sleep,  but  that  I  was  awakened 
by  a  "  Hum  "  (as  Papa  would  say)  of  men's  voices  out- 
side the  window,  and  looking  out  discovered  Arthur 
and  Edmund  in  fits  of  laughter  with  five  or  six  men 
in  fustian  and  an  old  woman  surrounding  them, 
Arthur  patting  the  foremost  man  on  the  shoulder  in 
the  most  familiar  manner,  and  soothing  him  down, 
while  the  woman  was  scolding  in  shrill  tones.  We 
called  up  Edmund,  eager  for  explanation,  and  found 
they  had  left  the  Day's  at  6  o'clock,  with  the  two 
Forrests  and  a  party  of  other  men  among  whom  was 
the  illustrious  Crewe  Reid.  They  went  in  to  smoke 
cigars  at  a  house  in  Bedford  Place,  the  lodgings  of  one 
of  the  party  and  on  coming  out,  little  Bagot  could  not 
resist  from  tearing  a  knocker  off  a  house  near,  upon 
which  the  owner  of  the  house,  one  Barnes,  and  his 
wife,  ran  out  after  him,  and  Crewe  fought  with  him, 
and  Arthur  ran  to  his  assistance  (Barnes  being  a  power- 
ful man)  and  knocked  him  down  twice  running,  offering 
the  woman  half-a-crown.  Then  Barnes  followed  him 
and  Edmund  home,  calling  every  stray  workman  they 
passed  to  join  him — so  there  was  this  little  crowd 
assembled  outside  the  house. 

67 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

All  Barnes  wanted  was  five  shillings  for  the  wrenched 
knocker — which,  as  they  had  had  nothing  whatever 
to  do  with  taking  it  off,  and  Arthur  has  the  utmost 
horror  of  anything  so  ungentlemanly,  was  hard  upon 
them ; — however  the  little  crowd  seemed  to  take 
their  part,  and  joined  in  the  laugh  against  Mr.  Barnes, 
who  at  length  became  exceedingly  good  humoured 
and  was  fully  pacified  by  half-a-crown.  If  I  had 
known  how  much  room  this  prosy  story  would  have 
taken  up  I  should  not  have  added  it  to  the  list  of 
family  delinquencies  with  which  from  time  to  time  I 
have  enlightened  your  mind — I  am  not  conscious  of 
any  darker  crimes  to  be  revealed  to  you  since  my 
narrative  of  Mrs.  Reid — should  any  occur  to  me  I 
will  furnish  you  with  them  to  put  you  "  au  courant  " 
with  our  family. 

I  cannot  give  any  good  account  of  myself  in  respect 
to  early  rising,  and  so  tardy  a  history  I  should  have 
to  write  down,  if  I  told  you  my  hours,  as  you  request, 
that  I  rather  shrink  from  it,  however,  one  word  in 
self  defence,  I  must  say  that  until  I  grew  wakeful  at 
night,  I  used  to  get  up  early  (not  at  7  but  before  8). 

W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Miss  Elton  : 

188  PICCADILLY, 

18  Jan.,  1841. 
My  dearest  Jane, 

Sunday  I  got  thro'  my  work  uncommonly  well 
and  without  the  slightest  fatigue.  It  was  a  delightful 
day — warm — comparatively  at  least  and  free  from 
rain.  York  Street  Chapel  was  much  fuller ;  after 
service  a  card  was  brought  into  the  vestry — "  Mrs. 
Stockdale  " — and  I  directed  her  to  be  shown  in.  In 
came  a  stout,  large  eyed,  very  self  complacent  looking 
widow  of  sixty.  She  talked  with  a  sort  of  slow  and 
measured  volubility  peculiar  to  religious  minds  of 

68 


MRS.  STOCKDALE 

a  certain  calibre  and  of  uncertain — because  infinite — 
self  conceit  and  affectation — and  took  a  chair  and 
commencing  with  supposable  apologies  for  the  intru- 
sion proceeded.  "  You  mentioned,  Sir,  in  your  sermon 
last  Sunday  that  it  was  possible  there  might  be  those 
present  who,  from  their  earliest  recollection  and  from 
the  dawn  of  responsibility  had  walked  in  the  main 
uprightly  before  God,  and  who  therefore  needed  no 
conversion — but  that  in  all  probability  such  were 
very  few.  And  no  doubt,  Sir,"  she  continued,  ''they 
are  very  few ;  but  I  thought,  Sir,  it  might  be  a  satis- 
faction to  you  to  have  your  conjecture  confirmed — 
that  there  were  such  present — and  so  I  thought  I 
would  venture  to  obtrude  myself  upon  you  to  tell  you 
that  you  see  before  you  one  of  that  happy  few.  I 
have  always  been  as  I  am  and  cannot  remember  the 
time  when  I  was  not  a  true  servant  of  God  !  !  !  "  And 
she  proceeded  to  suggest  that  I  should  preach  some 
day  upon  purity  of  heart  (Heaven  knows  what  she 
meant)  and  added  that  perhaps  I  had  never  in  my 
life  addressed  a  person  so  happy  as  the  one  I  was  speak- 
ing with  nor  one  who  had  known  so  many  trials. 

In  the  afternoon  I  preached  for  the  Queen's  letter.* 
The  congregation  was  very  good — and  collection  £29. 
Gifford  had  got  £39  in  the  morning.  Ward  had 
hinted  that  he  did  not  wish  me  to  pump  much,  so  I 
did  not.  I  gave  one  of  the  most  unpretending  sermons 
that  I  had. 

Ward  told  me  yesterday  that  a  Lady  had  asked 
him  if  I  was  not  an  imitator  of  Newman — he  said  he 
believed  not  (assigning  some  reason  which  I  don't 
remember)  and  he  added,  in  relating  it  to  me,  that  the 
idea  was  suggested  no  doubt  by  the  plainness  of  my 

*  This  was  an  appeal  written  by  the  Queen  for  funds  for  the  en- 
larging and  building  of  Churches. 

69 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

sermons — which  I  thought  a  compliment.  At  night 
H.  Bullar  and  I  walked  as  far  as  my  Brothers.  On 
our  way  we  looked  into  an  Evangelical  Chapel  where 
a  Missionary  Sermon  was  going  on,  and  we  heard  the 
preacher  (in  entire  good  faith)  refer  to  the  pious  rejec- 
tion of  human  strength  and  the  true  Christian  wisdom 
of  Lord  William  Bentinck,  when  Governor-General 
of  India,  in  reference  to  a  certain  application  made 
to  him  by  some  Wesley  an  Missionaries.  They  waited 
upon  him  to  express  their  high  sense  of  his  kindness 
and  to  ask  him  to  advise  government  to  aid  their 
schemes  to  convert  the  natives.  He  replied  (as  the 
preacher  said,  with  such  pious  feeling — but  as  you 
will  see  with  the  sly  double  meaning  of  an  old  diplo- 
matist) "  Why,  gentlemen,  if  I  might  give  you  my 
humble  opinion  I  should  advise  you  to  leave  this  work 
to  the  pious  missionary  and  instead  of  calling  in  the 
secular  arm  let  us  procure  more  of  such  devoted 
individuals  as  I  have  the  honour  to  address."  They 
retired  highly  delighted.  He  knew — the  old  fox — 
that  those  "  individuals  "  would  never  do  much  good 
or  mischief — and  he  dismissed  them  more  gratified 
by  his  refusal  to  call  on  government  to  interfere 
(remember  they  were  sectarians)  than  if  their  object 
had  been  answered. 

I  cannot  delay  to  say  how  much  pleased  I  am  at 
your  speaking  of  yourself  as  happier  and  more  cheer- 
ful of  late  and  attributing  this  to  your  having  exercised 
more  endeavour  to  improve.  Be  sure  that  this  is  the 
right  principle.  Endeavour,  Endeavour,  Endeavour, 
and  you  certainly  will  be  successful  and  happy  in 
proportion  : — always  assuming  that  such  endeavour 
is  in  a  right  spirit  of  dependence  upon  a  higher. strength 
— as  hearty  and  honest  and  steadfast  as  it  is  humble  ; 
and  as  humble  and  dependent  upon  God  as  it  is  hearty 
and  honest  and  steadfast. 

70 


AT  WINCHESTER 

I  do  heartily  trust  that  you  will  experience  much 
more  of  this,  and  bring  your  body  and  your  mind  into 
regular  discipline  and  be  certain  that  the  effect  will 
not  be  lost  upon  either.  I  have  but  a  few  moments 
left, — and  must  bid  you  good  bye.  Pray  tell  Arthur 
about  Stockdale  and  the  Governor  General.  Lord 
Canada  is  the  eldest  son  of  Earl  of  Sterling,  and  the 
latter  is  a  Mr.  Alexander  who  claims  the  peerage  and 
calls  himself  by  the  title  :  but  in  some  trial  that  occurred 
there  transpired  something  not  creditable  to  him — 
but  I  do  not  accurately  know  what. 

Bless  you  dearest, 

W.  H.  B. 

Miss  Elton  to  W.  H.  Brookfield  : 

WINCHESTER, 

19th  January,  1841. 
My  dearest  William, 

Yesterday  dined  here  Mr.  D.,  a  banker  of  Winches- 
ter and  his  wife,  a  pretty  woman  with  a  great  quantity 
of  ringlets  and  of  shoulder  to  be  seen,  and  who  keeps 
a  list  of  everywhere  the  hounds  meet  for  each  day  in 
the  week,  and  talks  of  horses  incessantly  just  like  a 
man — the  whole  of  dinner  yesterday  was  a  repetition  of 
the  morning's  hunting.  Arthur  and  I  sat  by  bewildered 
— at  least  I  was,  I  suppose  he  was  more  used  to  hearing 
horses  talked  of  as  if  they  were  rational,  I  mean  human 
beings;  and  every  slightest  joke  about  so  much  mud 
on  boots  or  how  fast  the  fox  ran  received  with  peals 
of  laughter  as  if  it  had  been  the  most  brilliant  sally 
of  wit.  How  dreadfully  it  would  degenerate  all  one's 
perceptions  for  what  is  clever  or  witty  or  good,  if  one 
was  forced  for  all  one's  life  to  live  with  beings  content 
with  such  lives  and  such  conversations — really  that 
woman  was  quite  enough  to  disgust  one  with  women 
entirely  ;  she  did  not  seem  even  to  have  read  a  novel, 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

but  to  have  her  whole  mind  engrossed  in  horses  with 
a  lucid  interval  of  worsted  work  and  gardening,  and 
they  talked  of  flowers  as  a  change  in  the  evening  just 
as  vehemently  as  if  they  had  souls  as  well  as  their 
pretty  little  exteriors. 

I  have  just  sent  Arthur  and  Maria  into  fits  of  laugh- 
ter over  Mrs.  Stockdale,  and  also  amused  Arthur  with 
the  Missionaries.  He  begs  me  to  ask  you  whether  it 
is  not  possible  the  Widow  Stockdale  was  a  man  dressed 
up  by  way  of  a  hoax  to  pretend  this  self  sufficiency 
or  whether  you  are  sure  she  was  not  intoxicated  as 
he  can't  believe  it  possible  any  human  being  could 
deceive  herself  to  such  a  degree. 


W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Miss  Elton  : 

188  PICCADILLY, 

23  Jan.,  41. 
Dearest, 

It  was  only  the  neatness  of  the  letter  I  got  from 
you  yesterday  morning  which  saved  you  from  a  scold- 
ing for  the  blackguard  sluttishness  of  its  immediate 
precursor — though  I  admit  that  even  that  was  very 
charming  and  witty  in  spite  of  its  entire  contempt  of 
orthography,  etymology,  syntax  and  prosody.  I  re- 
member how  vastly  you  improved  under  my  premoni- 
tions about  3  months  ago — and  I  fancied  on  looking 
at  your  shameful  scrawl  that  time  had  arrived  for 
another  jobation — as  they  spur  horses  now  and  then 
(not  incessantly)  just  to  keep  them  in  mind  that  they 
have  a  rider.  I  was  a  good  deal  melted,  however,  by 
the  reflection  that  after  all  the  letter  in  question  was 
quite  a  free  gift ;  written  in  a  cold  room,  and  as  be- 
witchingly  pleasant  as  it  was  disgracefully  slovenly. 
The  next  day's  letter,  however,  with  its  commendable 
neatness  entirely  dissipated  all  hostile  intention  and 

72 


LIFE  IN  LONDON 

I  resolved  to  say  nothing  about  the  matter,  and  conse- 
quently have  said  nothing  about  it !  !  !  !  ! 

I  amuse  myself  with  thinking  how  delightfully 
jealous  you  wifl  be  all  this  evening  while  I  am  dining 
with  Mrs.  D.,  MY  OLD  FLIRT  !  !  !  Yes — I  shall  be  there — 
most  likely  sit  next  her — say  very,  very  pretty  things 
to  her.  Seriously  I  think  you  will  be  rather  uncom- 
fortable !  And  thou  shalt  know  how  sharper  than  a 
maggot's  tooth  it  is  to  have  a  faithless  love  !  You  know 
she  is  really  very  pretty  and  "  lights  up  "  like  a  lustre 
— and  has  such  winning  ways  !  Ah,  Jenny,  sweet 
child — they  must  have  loveliness  indeed  to  win  the 
eye  even  from  your  outward  and  poorest  loveliness 
— and  winning  ways  they  must  possess  that  could 
charm  one's  heart  into  forgetting  your  fond  con- 
fiding affectionate  nature — I  never  see  any  slightest 
approach  to  you  in  head  or  heart ;  and  I  feel  it  a  sort 
of  wrong  to  you  to  commend  your  beauty  when  praises 
so  much  more  honourable  are  your  due.  I  fear  when 
my  letters  come  to  be  printed  in  a  breach  of  promise 
case  I  shall  be  thought  a  great  fool. 

When  I  called  at  D/s  on  Thursday,  I  was  shown 
up  to  the  drawing  room  where  were  Dick  and  Mrs.  D., 
I  nourished  away  rather  perhaps  in  my  old  style — 
such  as  "  well,  I  am  the-e-e  happiest  man  in  the  world 
to  be  let  in,"  etc.,  etc.  There  was  all  along  one  side 
of  the  room  a  huge  bookcase  with  pink  silk  puckered 
fronting  (like  a  piano)  protected  by  squares  of  glass 
like  500  other  bookcases.  In  the  midst  of  my  viva- 
cious gallantry  the  bookcase  suddenly  opened  and 
forth  issued — not  a  volume  of  the  Encyclopaedia 
Britannica  but  Mr.  D.  himself — the  bookcase  was 
false  and  only  a  folding  door  to  the  next  room.  "  Good 
gracious,"  I  cried  in  alarm,  "  you  have  not  been  behind 
the  arras  all  this  while."  "  Yes,  indade  I  have,  and 
I  haired  every  wurrd  ye  sade." 

73 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

The  overture  of  my  flirtation  having  so  narrowly 
escaped  being  eminently  perilous  I  think  Jenny  you 
are  secure  that  the  play  itself  will  be  kept  in  abeyance. 

You  never  saw  such  a  set  of  soul  withering  cats 
as  were  at  O.'s  the  other  night — one  pretty  face  and 
only  one.  But  you  know  "  I  am  spoil' d  for  pretty 
faces."  Indeed,  I  have  never  seen  a  person  at  all 
completely  pretty  since  I  came  to  London.  The 
Brides  are  all  as  plain  as  the  way  to  the  Parish  Church— 
the  Bridesmaids  rather  better — but  still  disgracefully 
hideous  ;  I  married  a  blind  man  the  other  day  and 
thought  of  Walpole.  By  the  bye  I  have  never  received 

from  Lord  O the  dibs  that  he  owes  me  for  that 

precious  charge.* 

Now,  good-bye.  Sometimes  I  am  in  good  will  for 
writing  but  with  no  creative  humour.  Sometimes 
in  brighter  humour  but  no  will  to  write.  Sometimes 
both,  sometimes  neither,  to-day  I  think  the  case  has 
been  the  first  mentioned.  However,  I  am  secure 
of  an  affectionate  reception  so — 

"  Once  more  I  bid  you  gentlemen  good  night." 

Vale  dulcissime — dilectissime — desideratissime. 

W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Miss  Elton  : 

188  PICCADILLY, 

27  Jan.,  41. 

Immediately  after  dispatching  your  letter  Monday 
Lord  Lyttelton  came  into  my  room  and  I  forthwith 
ordered  a  dish  of  Beefsteak  from  the  Albany  "  RESTAU- 
RANT "  close  by,  to  this  was  added  a  pot  of  porter, 
bottle  of  Madeira,  cheese  and  incidentals — but  no  sweet 
— no  fish— no  dessert,  and  the  Peer  and  the  Curate  dined 
very  contentedly.  I  had  vowed  to  myself  to  have 

*  For  some  time  in  Southampton  Mr.  Brookfield  hadLordOrford's 
son  under  his  charge. 

74 


THE  HOUSE  OF  LORDS 

nothing  for  dinner  but  a  "Meat  Tea"  in  cure  for  my 
cold,  and  tea  things  were  actually  on  the  table  when 
beefsteak  and  porter  pot  appeared.  The  latter,  how- 
ever, was  too  much  for  my  gratitude — tea  pot  retired — 
pewter  pot  advanced  with  flying  colours — sugar  and 
tongs  slung  back  into  their  caddy — milk  jug — cups — 
spoons  were  routed  in  pell  mell  as  Madeira  marched 
forward  like  a  stately  grenadier.  Ah !  but  Jenny, 
when  was  such  battle  ever  waged  and  the  country 
where  it  was  fought  en  suffered  not.  The  consequence 
was  a  wakeful  coughing  night  followed  by  a  sore  throat 
coughing  day,  which  has  torn  one  lobe  of  my  lungs 
into  ribbons  which  I  will  send  you  to  wear  at  your 
next  soiree,  for  they  are  no  use  to  me  now.  I  simply 
deserved  whipping — not  like  a  mischievous  graceless 
boy — (who  often  has  more  grace  in  him  than  the 
whipper)  but  like  a  downright  fool.  Whenever  I 
upbraid  you  with  anything  henceforth  say  to  me  no 
more  than  ''  Beefsteak  and  Porter  Pot  " — and  then  go 
mend  you  of  your  own  fault. 

Next  day  Henry  came  and  dined  with  me  at  four 
in  order  to  accompany  me  to  the  House  of  Lords  to 
hear  the  debate  on  the  address.  This  time  I  stuck 
to  tea.  We  heard  the  address  most  dully  moved  and 
seconded  by  Lords  Ducie  and  Lurgan — the  latter 
excessively  tedious — it  was  like  four  sermons  tied  end 
to  end  like  sausages — excepting  in  savouriness.  Then 
came  Brougham,  who  gave  us  an  hour's  speech, 
some  of  it  twaddle — some  of  it  blarney — but  then  it 
was  like  nobody  else's  twaddle  or  blarney.  And  now 
I  can  partly  understand  why  some  people  can  listen 
to  the  sermons  of  some  preachers  with  so  much  pleasure 
as  they  profess  while  I  see  no  merit  in  them.  It  is 
that  they  are  not  sufficiently  acquainted  with  the 
subject  matter  to  criticise  the  sense  of  what  is  said — 
and  the  manner  of  its  delivery  is  the  charm.  So  it 

75 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

was  with  me  listening  to  Brougham.  I  knew  nothing 
of  the  merits  of  the  question — but  his  manner  was 
almost  perfect.  Lord  Melbourne  followed  and  then 
the  Duke  of  Wellington — and  soon  after  9  all  was  over. 

Wm.  Wilberforce  (the  eldest  Brother)  called  on 
me  yesterday  and  I  returned  it  to-day.  He  and  his 
wife  you  know  were  always  very  kind  to  me. 


Miss  Elton  to  W.  H.  Brookfield  : 

SOUTHAMPTON, 

28  Jan.,  41. 

Poor  Simpson  has  been  dangerously  ill  but  is 
getting  better  I  am  glad  to  say  (of  course  we  have  been 
dutiful  in  enquiries  at  the  door  after  him) — but  mark 
one  thing — his  first  attack  came  on  by  over  indulgence 
in  eating  lobster  salad,  and  a  relapse  which  he  had 
the  other  day,  was  brought  on  by  taking  coffee,  though 
expressly  forbidden  by  the  doctors,  and  though  he 
knew  it  was  bad  for  him  (his  wife  gave  it  to  him,  being 
unable  to  resist  his  wishes  for  anything)  therefore  I 
mention  this,  my  dear,  to  point  a  moral  and  adorn  a 
tale  with  regard  to  the  Porter  and  Beef.  We  have  a 
kind  of  moral,  unevangelical,  religious  novel  in  the 
house  now,  in  two  vols. ;  "  Modern  Accomplishments  " 
and  "  Modern  Society,"  unnatural  and  sometimes  under- 
bred but  very  amusing — don't  give  me  a  pulpit  frown 
and  recommend  a  more  useful  book.  I  think  "  Lord 
John's  "  Boudoir  or  himself  cajoled  you  into  reading 
Henry  of  Guise  the  other  day  ? — and  it  is  now  a  long 
time  since  I  read  a  novel.  The  "  Flirt  "  was  my  last. 

Arthur  begs  me  to  ask  you  candidly  whether  you 
can  agree  with  me  in  calling  Fanny  Willis's  mind 
"  rather  above  par,"  or  whether  you  do  not  think  her 
name  requires  to  be  written  "  fanny  willis  "  upon  the 
plan  of  your  small  o's  to  oxford  (which  idea  amused 


CARLYLE  AND  CAPITALS 

him  very  much).  I  write  down  this  question  as  he 
desires  me,  though  I  think  her  too  good  natured  and 
too  kindly  disposed  to  be  cut  up.  I  was  rather  pro- 
voked with  her  for  quarrelling  with  Carlyle  (a  volume 
of  which  I  was  profligate  enough  to  lend  her) — because, 
first  of  all,  of  "  the  enormous  number  of  Capital  letters 
that  he  uses — so  very  many  capital  letters — really 
so  very  many  capital  letters — did  not  you  find  it  annoy 
you  excessively,  Jane  ?  I  did  to  a  very  great  extent." 
Can  anything  be  more  tiresome  than  being  forced  to 
believe  that  any  one  would  so  far  separate  words  and 
letters  from  sense,  in  a  really  interesting  book  and  not 
perceive  how  every  Capital  letter  Carlyle  uses  is  for  a 
purpose,  to  give  prominency  or  greater  importance  to- 
the  word  it  belongs  to,  or  some  other  reason. 


Miss  Elton  to  W.  H.  Brookfield  : 

11  Feb.,  41. 

I  was  momentarily  softened  towards  "  dear  Joe  "" 
by  your  flatteries  repeated  to  me — but  then — "  when 
I  reflect  "  (Fagin  in  the  condemned  cell)  upon  the  way, 
the  cruel  way  in  which  dear  Joe  turned  aside  from  my 
admiring  and  wistful  gaze  to  meet  the  brilliancy  of 
Caroline's  gay  fragments  from  the  Beau  monde  which 
she  poured  ceaselessly  forth  to  him,  only  interspersed 
with  the  duties  of  her  office  as  sitter  at  the  head  of 
the  table.  "  Ah  yes,  so  Rogers  told  me — Rogers  said — 
Fish  sauce,  Mr.  Bullar  ? — Rogers  said — and  indeed  so- 
did  Sydney — Sydney  Smith,  that  the  Queen,  you  know, 
has  been  so  dreadfully  maligned.  There  ought  to  be 
stuffing,  Mr.  Bullar,  pray  look  for  some.  Yes,  I  met 
Wordsworth  at  the  lakes  and  thought  him  very  dis- 
agreeable— very  disagreeable  I  own.  I  was  at  the 
lakes  with  my  uncle,  Mr.  Hallam  (!)  Oh,  Mr.  Words- 
worth only  talked  of  himself  I  thought — don't  you. 

77 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

drink  Porter,  Mr.  Bullar  ?*  A  glass  of  Porter  for 
Mr.  Bullar.  That  reminds  me  that  Rogers,  etc. — I 
am  very  fond  of  Mr.  Rogers — Rogers  the  poet,  pleasant 
breakfasts,  I  often  go  there  when  I'm  in  town — with 
the  R-R-R-Romillys,  or  indeed  when  I'm  with  Mrs. 
Wickham,  my  cousin  Mrs.  Wickham.  Oh,  you  meet 
all  the  clever  people  at  Rogers' sss  breakfasts,  etc.,  etc. 
I  should  call  the  Queen  pretty,  oh,  decidedly  pretty, 
she  asked  Rogers  (the  poet)  what  he  thought  of  Prince 
Albert,  and  Rogers  answered  '  He  is  good  looking  and 
looks  good.'  Rogers  told  me  this  himself !  "  Joe,  I 
thought,  seemed  amused  by  it — altogether.  But,  my 
dear,  sweet,  honoured,  darling,  respected  Brookfield 
what  do  you  think  happened  to  me  yesterday  ? 

I    CALLED    ON    ANNE  !    !    ! 


W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Miss  Elton  : 

188  PICCADILLY, 

2  March,  41. 
Dear  Jane, 

Your  letter  was  overweight.  That  it  was  not 
discovered  at  the  Post  Office  only  proves  that  one  fool 
makes  many.  You  had  used  thicker  paper  than  usual 
and  fancied  it  weighed  none  the  heavier — as  perchance 
you  think  yourself  no  heavier  than  my  beloved  Anne  ! 
Dearest  Jinks, 

I  must  get  off  with  what  fopperies  I  can  from 
writing  a  long  letter  to-day — for  I  am  intending  to 
go  to  Greenwich.  Your  letter  this  morning  made  ample 
amend  for  the  scrubbiness  of  its  antecedent — neatly 
written — clever  and  delicious. 

*  The  Bullars  were  a  family  of  Southampton,  close  friends  both 
of  the  Brookfields  and  Thackerays.  They  are  often  mentioned 
in  Mr.  Thackeray's  letters  to  Mrs.  Brookfield. 


SAMUEL  ROGERS 

I  will  answer  your  urgent  enquiries  as  to  my  opin- 
ion how  far  £800  a  year  will  go  when  I  see  you  next 
week. 

Milnes  took  me  last  Saturday  Evening  to  a  vast 
soiree  at  Lord  Northampton's.  He  is  President  of 
the  Royal  Society,  and  gives  these  Levees  during  the 
season  to  grandees  and  Literati.  Many  people  were 
in  court  dresses — deputy  Lieutenants'  uniforms  and 
so  on.  Three  Bishops  were  there,  Bobby  Peel,  Sir 
James  Graham,  and  a  thousand  starry  peers.  I  was 
introduced  to  Bishop  of  St.  David's  and  to  Lord  Mount- 
eagle. 

On  Thursday  morning  next — oh,  where  is  Caroline  ? 
I  breakfast — where  ?  ?  ?  ?  ? 

At  the  Burlington  ?  No.  At  Lord  Lansdowne's  ? 
Pooh  !  With  JNO  ?  Pshaw  ! 

Upon  Perigord  pie  and  omelette  au%  fines  herbes  ? 
Du  tout !  With  Lord  John  ?  Wheu !  Bishop  of 
St.  David's.  Nein !  With  Prince  Albert  ?  Pish ! 
With  ROGERS  ?  I  can  hardly  frame  my  guessing  lips 
to  utter — Yes  ! 

I  hope  he  will  "  behave  well  " — that  is  that  he  will 
not  pick  his  teeth  with  my  fork,  etc. 

It  is  Milnes'  doing.  I  found  his  card  on  my  table 
yesterday  morning  "  I  have  arranged  for  you  to  break- 
fast with  Rogers  on  Thursday,  and  I  hope  it  will  suit 
you."  It  is  extremely  kind  in  Milnes,  he  always  has 
acted  in  this  manner  to  me,  and  so  very  voluntarily. 

In  the  evening,  yesterday,  Spedding,  Venables, 
Chapman,  and  Harry  Lushington — all  good  men  and 
true  took  their  tea  and  baccy  with  me.  I  really  beg 
pardon  for  this  letter.  Yours  this  morning  was 
premiere  qualite, 

EVER, 

W.  H.B. 

79 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

Miss  Elton  to  W.  H.  Brookfield  : 

SOUTHAMPTON, 

3rd  March,  41. 
Dearest  love, 

It  took  me  a  long  time,  that  is,  till  I  came  to  the 
4th  or  5th  reading  over  of  your  letter  of  to-day,  before 
I  discovered  the  reason  of  my  being  honoured  with 
best,  superfmest,  satinest,  giltest,  thickest,  postest 
paper — instead  of  the  ugly  little  set  of  old-fashioned 
ruled  account-book  leaves,  on  which  you  generally 
write  (and  which,  however,  I  become  intensely  used  to 
and  fond  of),  but  when  I  put  things  together,  and  began 
to  reflect,  a  light  flashed  upon  me,  for  how  could 

you   answer    all   these    invitations   from    R d 

M n    M  .  .  .  .  s.    AND    Lord    J  .  .  n    (By    the 

the  bye  you  think  it  disrespectful  to  abbreviate  his 
name)  upon  old  copy  book  paper  ?  of  course  it  was 
out  of  the  question,  and  that  gilt  edged  piece  on 
which  you  commenced  your  letter  of  this  morning 
must  be  but  a  scrap  off  a  quire  bought  expressly  for 
the  purpose  of  answering  and  giving  out  invitations. 
I  shall  sing  to  you,  at  length  "  They  tell  me  thou'rt 
the  favoured  guest  of  every  fair  and  brilliant  throng. 
No  wit  like  thine  to  wake  the  jest,  no  voice  like  thine 
to  breathe  the  song.  And  none  could  guess,  so  gay, 
thou  art,  That  thou  and  I,  are  far  apart  " — proceeding 
you  know,  with  "  Do  I  thus  haste  to  hall  and  bower. 
Among  the  PROUD  and  GAY  to  shine " — Etcetera, 
etcetera,  etcetera — (I  could  not  stop  short  in  my 
quotation,  for  I  sang  it  you  see,  in  my  mind,  as  I  wrote 
it !)  I  was  delighted  with  your  letter  of  to-day,  my 
darling — rejoiced  you  are  to  be  elected  to  the  inestima- 
ble privilege  of  "  the  favoured  few,"  a  breakfast  with 
ROGERS,  your  anticipations  before  pronouncing  whose 
name,  exceedingly  amused  me.  There  is  nothing  in 
the  world  to  tell  you,  here  dullity  reigns  around  me — 

80 


PREACHER  AT  TENISON'S 

with  an  exception  of  yesterday  evening  when  my  dear 
"  Anne  "  dined  here  !  We  kissed  at  parting.  Need  I 
say  more  ?  Maria  having  heard  of  you  being  appointed 
to  Tenison's,  wrote  to  me  in  the  greatest  delight, 
desiring  her  warmest  congratulations  to  you,  and  beg- 
ging me  to  tell  her  in  confidence,  what  our  plans  were, 
and  that  she  would  reveal  nothing  till  we  wished,  and 
so  on — taking  quite  for  granted  that  you  would  im- 
mediately intend  marrying.  However,  I  am  not  fool- 
ish enough  to  be  thinking  seriously  of  this,  because 
I  think  you  would  have  mentioned  it  if  you  thought 
it  feasible.  When  you  once  say  it  is  impossible,  I  shall 
think  no  more  about  it — at  least,  I  will  try  not  to  think 
of  it.  Still,  if  one  could  do  it,  it  would  be  far  happier 
even  living  in  the  greatest  poverty  with  you  than  as 
we  are  now — perhaps  it  may  be  different  with  a  man — 
and  especially  with  you — who  are  so  strong  minded, 
but  it  is  very  miserable  to  live  away  from  one  another. 
I  don't  know  how  all  this  about  marrying  looks, 
coming  after  your  opinion  as  to  £800  a  year  ! — but  I 
suppose  you  meant  to  make  exceptions  in  individual 
cases  ? 

We  have  a  little  overhanging  box  to  contain  three 
— in  the  gallery  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  very  uncom- 
fortable ;  but  Papa  having  taken  such  a  fancy  to  Mr. 
Hulton,  filial  piety  demanded  a  seat  to  be  provided 
for  him — meantime  we  were  promised  part  of  the 
Ayscough's  pew  at  All  Saints',  so  gave  up  the  square 
side  aisle  one.  But  the  Ayscoughs  have  all  come  back 
and  taken  possession  of  their 's  again,  so  I  wander  up 
and  down  the  Church,  pew  doors  flying  open  to  me 
of  kind-hearted  strangers. 

Forgive  this  letter,  the  very  Quintessence  of 
prosiness.  And  believe  me, 

Yours  eternally, 

JANE  ELTON. 
81 

7— (2309) 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

What  a  ridiculously  good  memory  you  have — 
how  should  you  remember  "  Rogers  behaved  very  well." 
Your  very  amusing  letter  (though  it  was  hurried) 
deserves  a  much  More  Jovial  and  entertaining  repartee 
on  my  part — but,  etc. 

W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Miss  Elton  : 

188  PICCADILLY, 

4  March,  41. 
Dearest  Jane, 

The  Bishop  of  London  has  sent  me  a  card  for 
Dinner  on  Monday — but  I  declined  on  the  plea  of  being 
engaged  to  be  in  Southampton.  I  dined  with  the  Dean 
of  Salisbury — met  Sir  George  Staunton  and  Sir  Benj. 
Brodie.  This  morning  went  to  Rogers — only  Milnes 
and  C.  Buller  (M.P.  for  Liskeard)  there.  Certainly 
it  was  exceedingly  pleasant.  The  old  man  very,  very 
agreeably  talkative,  and  saying  very  good  things  of 
his  own  and  repeating  those  of  others.  I  am  to  go 
there  again  on  the  same  Muffin-eating  errand  on  Satur- 
day. I  called  afterward  on  Mrs.  Chambers,  Mother 
of  poor  Charlie  Chambers,  of  the  Rifles,  who  died  some 
time  ago  to  her  immense  desolation.  She  is  a  lady  of 
some  consideration  on  the  border  of  Yorkshire — and 
was  always  flattering  to  me.  She  rather  startled  my 
modesty  by  saying  "  I  hope,  my  dear  Brookfield,  you 
won't  let  them  make  a  lion  of  you  like  Sydney  Smith. 
I  was  always  anxious  you  should  come  to  London, 
but  I  was  always  a  little  apprehensive  of  you  being 
too  social."  She  told  me  they  had  been  three  times  in 
rain  to  St.  James',  and  had  first  heard  of  my  being  in 
London  from  somebody  in  the  foreign  office  who  had 
been  very  much  struck  by  "  A  Mr.  Brookfield."  We 
must  try  if  we  can't  change  that  A  into  a  definite. 

I  thought  I  had  an  inordinate  deal  to  say  before 
I  began  writing — but  I  don't  know  why  it  somehow 

82 


LADY  BRUCE 

does  not  come.     Perhaps  it  is  a  consciousness  that  I 
shall  see  and  feel  and  talk  with  you  so  soon  that  pre- 
vents the  needful  effort  of  the  mind. 
Good-bye,  Friday  !    SATURDAY  !     SUNDAY  ! 

ALWAYS, 

W.H.B. 

W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Miss  Elton  : 

188   PICCADILLY, 

22  March,  41. 
Dearest  Jenny, 

Talking  of  pretty  girls,  what  do  you  think  ? 
Last  Wednesday  I  saw  come  into  Church  a  set  of  tall 
striking  looking  people  in  new  mourning  (new — 
because  on  Ash  Wednesday  I  had  seen  part  of  the  same 
family  in  colours)  ;  one  lady  amongst  them  I  could  not 
help  being  caught  by  more  than  the  rest — enquired 
of  Ward  as  to  who  they  could  be — nothing  could  be 
learned  but  that  they  came  in  a  Coronetted  Carriage. 
Yesterday  afternoon  from  the  pulpit  I  saw  the  same 
family — the  same  remarkable  face — could  not  ascer- 
tain who  it  was.  It  had  some  kindred  to  your  own — 
but  had  less  vitality — less  soul — less  capability  for 
either  laughter  or  tears — but  withal  a  sweet  face  of 
the  unimpassioned  order.  I  had  forgotten  the  face 
and  its  owner  and  all  the  family  of  mourners.  To-day 
I  called  on  the  Dean  of  Salisbury — who  happened  to 
say,  "  I  was  glad  to  see  Lord  Bruce  and  Sidney  Herbert 
at  Church  on  Wednesday."  The  face  was  Lady  Mary's 
i.e.  Lady  Brace's  now.* 

I  began  yesterday  at  Tenison's — the  congregation 
seemed  pretty  large,  and  I  was  sufficiently  happy  and 

*  When  he  next  saw  this  lady  he  says  he  was  so  much  struck 
by  her  resemblance  to  his  fiancee  that  he  "  was  tempted  to  throw 
the  pulpit  cushion  at  her." 

83 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

unembarrassed.  My  sermon  was  about  the  ups  and 
downs  of  Joseph's  life — being  appropriate  to  the  first 
lesson  of  the  day — but  I  had  nothing  personal  about 
myself.  Knowing,  however,  that  they  had  all  a  double 
supply  of  Cambric  I  thought  it  necessary  to  be  pathetic 
about  the  Hebrew  Prime  Minister  of  Egypt  yearning 
after  the  scenes  of  boyhood  in  Canaan,  which  called 
forth  abundant  blowing  of  noses.  To-morrow  I  am 
to  dine  with  Dean  of  Salisbury  quite  quietly,  and  to 
meet  the  Bishop  of  Chester — Arthur's  friend.  I 
never  dined  easy  and  in  the  friendly  way  in  company 
with  an  apron  before. 


W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Miss  Elton  : 

188  PICCADILLY, 

24  March,  41. 
Sweet  Junk, 

Very  pleasant  was  your  letter — and  I  think  you 
have  gained  a  little  in  piquancy  by  being  just  a  little 
bit  vaccinated  with  Carl  vie. 

At  the  Dean's  last  night  all  was  evangelical — I  sate 
next  Chester.  But,  oh !  how  thin,  affected,  self-con- 
ceited, canting,  unreal,  narrow-hearted  was  all  the  talk. 
How  different  from  the  morning's  breakfast.  I  after 
the  dinner,  went  to  Spedding's.  It  is  very  true  that 
you  sent  me  one  stamp — but  you  are  aware  that  when 
the  overweight  is  not  prepaid,  it  is  doubled — so  that 
your  letter  cost  me  twopence,  Twopence,  TWOPENCE, 
— for  which  one  Victoria  is  but  a  paltry  payment. — 
You  owe  me  a  label. 

My  sweet  darling,  it  will  be  your  birthday  to-morrow, 
and  it  ought  to  be  the  most  lovely  festival  accord- 
ing to  old  Catholic  notions  in  the  year.  It  sounds 
nice  "  Our  Lady's  Day."  I  am  sorry  I  have  no  pretty 
surprise  of  a  book  for  you — but  you  shall  have  your 


BIRTHDAY  GREETINGS 

bracelet.     God  bless  you.     May  you  be  as  much  more 
dear  to  me  next  birthday  as  you  now  are  than  last — 
and  enjoy  all  health  of  body  and  peace  of  mind. 
Good  bye  thou  sweet  soul. 

Ever  more  thine, 
W.H.B. 

W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Miss  Elton  : 

188  PICCADILLY, 

25  March,  41. 

Our  Lady's  Day. 
Sweetest  Lady, 

I  must  write  a  few  words,  tho'  never  so  hasty,  so 
shabby,  so  pithless.  Yet  I  can  say  nothing  that  I 
wish  to  say.  It  is  difficult  to  utter  what  lies  deep — 
and  cannot  be  done  in  such  hurry  as  I  am  (now  almost 
always)  placed  in.  The  day  is  as  beautiful  as  day  can 
be,  and  is  hallowed  to  me  by  the  sweetest  and  sacredest 
of  all  human  appreciations.  I  wish  I  could  see  you. 
You  must  make  our  honoured  sire  to  understand  that 
being  in  the  same  room  with  the  prince  on  Saturday 
will  be  much  like  being  in  the  same  Church  with  him. 
We  shall  be  3  or  400  most  likely — and  I  the  most  insigni- 
ficant. It  is  something  to  be  the  most  anything.  I 
was  reading  No.  90  (the  Oxford  Tract  which  is  making 
such  a  row  just  now  on  account  of  its  alleged  hetero- 
doxy) in  bed  this  morning  and  came  to  the  following 
extract  from  a  Father  (not  yours)  as  to  what  "  The 
Church  "is.  "  The  Church  is  the  congregation  of  All 
Saints."  I  should  think  Shaddy*  will  subscribe  to 
this.  I  have  but  a  moment  left — but  if  it  were  the  last 
of  my  life  I  must  give  you  my  sweetest,  dearest  Jenny 
10,000  blessings  on  this  day  above  all  others.  Don't 
mope  about  being  a  year  older.  You  are  a  year  dearer 

*  Rev.  Mr.  Shadwell— his  late  rector  at  All  Saints',  Southampton. 

85 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

to  me — and  even  if  you  do  not  improve  as  much  as 
you  have  done  in  the  last  12  months  will  continue  to 
grow  dearer  to  me.  God  bless  you — and  both  of  us, 
and  help  us  in  all  things — and  chiefly  in  our  efforts 
to  become  worthier  of  Him  and  of  each  other.  Bless 
you  my  dearest,  sweetest  lamb  —  much  loved  and 
really — most  really  much  honoured  also.  Farewell. 

Yours, 

W.  H.B. 


W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Miss  Elton  : 

188  PICCADILLY, 

29  March,  1841. 
Dearest  Jane, 

In  the  morning  "  at  the  late  lamented  Arch- 
bishop Tenison's  (as  you  charmingly  called  '  our 
benefactor ')  "  I  preached  the  sermon  you  wrote  out 
for  me  from  that  remarkable  old  man's  remarkable 
MSS.  You  had  written  it  most  legibly,  and  with 
scarcely  a  fault.  I  cut  out  several  pages — and  inserted 
a  few  paragraphs  of  my  own  "  to  give  it  an  air  " — and 
it  came  off  exceedingly  well. 

Saturday  evening  I  was  at  the  P.  R.  S.  soiree. 
The  Prince  there — looking  certainly  very  nice.  Dressed 
in  plain  black,  very  nicely  made.  White  waistcoat, 
a  good  deal  open  in  front.  White  cravat  without 
collars.  Broad  blue  Ribbon  across  his  chest  over  the 
waistcoat — hair  most  neatly  parted — altogether  look- 
ing fresh  from  the  band-box — but  mild,  good  natured, 
unaffected ;  in  short  decidedly  nice  looking.  There 
were  many  notables  there — but  it  was  not  so  smart 
as  on  the  former  evening  inasmuch  as  people  were 
all  in  plain  clothes  this  time — there  having  been  no 
dress  levee  going  on  anywhere  else  from  which  people 
came  all  in  their  gaudy  as  was  the  case  before. 

86 


ALBUM  VERSES 

I  was  in  the  National  Gallery  this  noon  alone  for 
a  few  minutes  when  in  rolled  Alfred  Tennyson  (the 
present  representation  of  the  most  reverend  prelate) 
We  coalesced  and  evaporated.  He  spake  of  your 
sire — how  he  liked  him  and  all  that.  How  he  could 
not  help  contrasting  him  with  Mr.  Hallam,  whom 
he  honoured  and  respected  as  much  as  he  could  honour 
and  respect  mortal  man,  "  but  he  had  not  the  geniality 
of  our  dear  charming  altogether  unequalled  and  un- 
resembled  patriarch."  I  think  you  have  judged 
wisely  to  have  Southey — it  is  a  very  nice  book — and 
will  lead  you  to  read  at  any  rate  a  little  of  some  old 
poets  that  otherwise  might  have  never  come  under 
your  notice. 

I  have  not  time  to  write  more.  I  write  by  this 
post  the  lines  which  I  promised  to  Kitty.  I  enclose 
you  a  copy.  They  are  not  meant  to  be  very  striking — 
merely  compact  and  true.  But  ask  your  Governor  what 
he  thinks — and  Don't  encourage  him  to  praise  them. 

I. 

The  voice  that  ask'd  this  simple  boon 
Must  cease  kind  things  to  grant  or  crave  ; 

The  grateful  hand  that  writes  will  soon 
Be  passive  in  the  grave. 

II. 

These  lines  design' d  forsooth  !  to  last 
When  hand  and  voice  are  gone  away, 

Will  to  oblivion's  void  have  passed 
Quicklier  e'en  than  they. 

III. 

But  thoughts  in  pure  goodwill  that  flow 
From  soul  to  soul  unfeigning  given, 

Transplanted  hence  for  age  shall  grow 
The  Amaranths  of  Heaven. 

8? 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

Miss  Elton  to  W.  H.  Brookfield  : 

30  March,  1841. 

Papa  was  much  interested  in  your  very  satisfactory 
description  of  the  Prince.  His  admiration  of  your 
verses  did  not,  I  own,  come  up  to  my  own,  in  short 
I  felt  rather  piqued,  at  what  perhaps  you  will  (in 
your  humility)  be  satisfied  with.  "  Very  neat — yes, 
they  are  pretty  lines, — very  fair,  but  I  don't  like  the 
word  Amaranth."  Papa  was  pleased  with  Alfred 
Tennyson's  comparison,  which  I  ventured  to  read  to 
him.  Was  I  wrong  ? 


W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Miss  Elton  : 

188  PICCADILLY, 

2  April,  1841. 
Mild  Jane, 

I  thought  your  father's  mitigated  praise  of  the 
verses  the  outside  of  what  they  deserved.  I  was 
afraid  they  had  no  merits  at  all  but  the  negative  one 
of  not  being  longer. — Yesterday  was  rather  eventful 
with  me.  I  was  off  duty  (being  1st  of  the  month) 
and  was  at  Milnes'  with  my  legs  over  the  arm  of  a 
chair  reading  aloud  while  he  breakfasted  when  in  stepped 
impromptu  :  The  Prince  ? — Arthur  ?  — t  ? — Alfred 
Tennyson  ? — Archbishop  ditto  ?  No,  No,  No  : 
Father  Gerard  solid  in  his  thick  shoes  ? — nearer — 
Carlyle  !  The  form  of  his  face  is  like  that  portrait 
of  Count  d'Orsay's  you  have  seen.  But  complexion 
very  coarse — and  general  appearance  "  solid  in  thick 
shoes."  As  tall  as  I  about — and  certainly  no  less  un- 
gainly— a  hearty  laugher  with  discoloured  teeth — 
very  broad  Scotch — talks  not  unlike  his  writing — un- 
reserved— unaffected,  of  course — a  leetle  shy  and 
awkward — but  very  likeable.  We  went  thence,  all 
three,  to  Rogers'  to  call — found  pretty  ladies  break- 

88 


Thomas  Carlyle, 

'if  drawing  by  Danisl  Vmcl 


1. 


• 
perhap 

•,  but  f 
r  ventu 


.BILLY, 
lpnlt  1841, 


and 

all 

3  .break- 


"7- 


iS/rom  -the,  dltitt.'ina,  J»j  J/.a.ntf.t/^ 


"  A  BUMP  OF  BENEVOLENCE  " 

fasting  with  him — also  Harness,  the  Editor  of  the 
Shakespeare  you  gave  me.  To  him  I  was  introduced, 
he  said  he  had  heard  of  me.  I  have  been  to-day 
licensed  to  my  Curacy. — Now, 

and  til  deth, 

W.    H.    B. 


Miss  Elton  to  W.  H.  Brookfield  : 

SOUTHAMPTON, 

6th  April 
My  darling  love, 

Your  most  kind  and  most  delicious  letter  gave  me 
a  great  deal  more  pleasure  than  I  can  tell  you  and  so 
— I  will  not  even  thank  you  for  it.  I  am  gratified  to 
observe  that  you  are  completely  conscience  stricken 
as  to  the  utter  inappropriateness  of  the  epithet 
"  Jumps  "  as  applied  to  ME,  and  that  you  prudently 
abstain  from  any  attempt  at  vindication  of  the  same. 
Your  defence  of  Mumbo  Jumbo  appears  plausible, 
and  was  rendered  palatable  by  the  seriousness  which 
was  combined  in  the  ingenuity  of  the  defence.  But 
you  must  remember  that  this  Mumbo  Jumbo — as 
represented  probably  in  an  immense  wooden  and 
painted  image,  is  the  most  hideous  object  that  the 
fancy  of  the  poor  swarthy  worshippers  could  picture, 
an  object  at  once  awe-inspiring  and  imposing.  Don't 
suppose  I  have  read  Carlyle,  without  knowing  what 
the  words  meant  (by  the  bye,  and  in  Justful  wrath,  I 
may  remark)  they  head  a  chapter  on  one  of  the  Jubilee 
days,  at  Paris — I  think.  Mrs.  Arthur  begged  to  see 
Papa  yesterday,  and  of  course  threw  him  into  a  per- 
plexed state  of  half  submission  to  her,  owing  to  his 
"  Enormous  bump  of  benevolence "  (which  Alfred 
Tennyson  said  would  lead  him  into  so  many  foolish 
things.) 

89 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

April  5th,  1841.     [Diary.] 

In  the  afternoon  the  Bishop  preached,  and  Ward 
read,  I  took  Baptisms  afterwards.  The  Duke  of 
Cambridge  was  there  to  hear  the  Bishop,  and  sate  in 
the  pew  before  me.  Such  a  noise  as  he  made  in  re- 
sponses, psalm  reading  and  singing,  a  sort  of  old  Wai- 
pole  with  eyes.  I  had  not  caught  what  psalm  the 
clerk  had  given  out,  and  turning  to  look  on  my  neigh- 
bour's book  for  the  page — fidgetty,  restless,  Royal 
Highness  turns  round  and  bawls  loud  enough  to  drown 
the  organ,  "  It  begins  at  the  third  verse — the  third 
verse."  All  eyes  turned  on  Royalty  speaking  to  in- 
ferior clergy.  I  turned  red  as  a  raddish.  Royalty 
went  on  singing  like  a  bull. 


Miss  Elton  to  W.  H.  Brookfield : 

SOUTHAMPTON, 

11  April,  1841. 
My  dear  love, 

I  told  you  I  should  write  again  to-day,  so  I  keep 
my  promise,  though,  having  virtuously  spent  the  time 
I  might  have  been  writing  to  you  in  catechising  3 
youths,  Kate's  proteges,  who  arrive  just  the  same, 
although  she  is  out  dining  with  the  Duo  in  the  Crescent 
— and  it  appears  one's  duty  to  prevent  their  having 
their  walk  for  nothing.  All  I  have  to  tell  you  to-day 
is  merely  this — Caroline  says  of  Alfred  Tennyson  (who 
has  been  at  Tunbridge — )  "  very  far  from  handsome, 
and  his  hair  quite  disturbed  me — but  after  the  first 
sight  I  like  him — he  is  agreeable  and  clever."  I 
wouldn't  cut  his  hair  for  worlds — would  you  ?  I  went 
to  Church  in  a  new  boot  lace  to-day,  for  luck.  Yester- 
day I  called  on  the  Ogles',  who  were  very  kind  and 

90 


ULTRA-EVANGELICALS 

gave  me  some  lovely  flowers  and  Kitty  showed  me  a 
black  profile  of  the  Gentleman  she  was  once  engaged 
to.  Also  she  made  me  eat  a  piece  of  bread  and  some 
potted  lampreys  !  She  kissed  me,  and  told  me  my 
upper  lip  was  "  one  of  the  rare  specimens  of  the  Cupid 
bow  shape  !  " — quite  Gallant ;  praised  you,  of  course. 


19th.     [Diary.] 

To-day  I  am  going  to  dine  with  some  ultra-ultra- 
ultra  evangelicals  of  aunts  who  believe  Pusey  to  be  the 
Pope  in  disguise  and  Newman  the  head  of  the  Jesuits. 
By  the  way  several  people  consider  this  sketch  of 
Newman  (which  is  extremely  ugly  and  quizzical)  very 
like  me.  If  you  remember  I  said  myself  after  I  had 
seen  him  that  we  were  not  entirely  dissimilar. 
26th. 

I  walked,  after  Church,  with  Lyttelton  for  a  couple 
of  hours,  and  saw  his  wife  and  child.  Lady  L.  told 
me  they  were  invited  to  dine  at  the  Gladstone's  to 
meet  me,  but  I  have  not  yet  received  my  invitation. 
Am  going  this  evening  to  the  Goldsmid's,  there  to 
see  Mrs.  Butler  (Fanny  Kemble)  and  Charles  Kemble. 

W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Miss  Elton  : 

188  PICCADILLY, 

18  June,  1841. 
My  dearest  Jane, 

I  am  so  out  of  practice  of  writing  to  you  that  it 
seems  to  me  almost  a  difficulty.  Last  Thursday  after- 
noon Garden  called  on  me  with  whom  I  laugh  more 
than  anybody  in  the  world.  He  said  he  had  been 
having  a  long  talk  with  Gaye  about  me — that  Gaye 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

had  been  asking  him  if  I  were  affected — that  every- 
body liked  me,  but  some  people  said  I  was  affected — 
but  that  he  had  seen  nothing  of  it.  I  believe  Garden's 
opinion  was  that  I  was  no  more  affected  than  a  person 
of  imitative  propensities,  and  with  certain  fantastic 
turns  of  mind  must  inevitably  be — but  those  alone 
would  produce  what  ordinary  observers  might  call 
affectation.  I  hope  you  will  make  good  use  of  your 
time  at  Henley — I  do  not  mean  in  the  way  of  Hume 
and  Lord  Bacon  and  Locke  and  Isaac  Newton — 
(to  which  of  course  you  will  do  justice) — but  in  tak- 
ing exercise — eating  hugely — being  happy — getting 
mooney  cheeks — and  getting  yourself  (as  Robbins 
would  say)  into  condition. 


Miss  Elton  to  W.  H.  Brookfield  : 

HENLEY  PARK, 

20th  June,  41. 

It  is  such  an  immense  comfort  in  separation  from 
you,  to  feel  so  great  confidence  in  your  affection,  and 
I  believe  without  vanity,  I  may  even  add  your  esteem 
for  me,  that  I  now  feel,  and  to  a  much  greater  extent 
than  I  used  to  do.  Dearest,  I  hope  your  cold  has  left 
you.  Since  I  have  been  here  I  have  been  absorbed 
in  "  La  vie  de  Marianne"  a  celebrated  old  French 
novel  by  Marivaud  which  Julia  Hallam  was  reading, 
and  which  my  Uncle  recommended.  It  is  rather 
lengthy,  but  exceedingly  amusing  and  interesting  ;  a 
nice  book  to  have  in  the  house  with  one  here,  as  at 
home  Uncle  Hallam  is  so  silent  (altho'  cheerful  withal) 
that  it  is  sometimes  unearthly,  everybody  following 
his  example.  The  first  three  days  I  struggled  to  keep 
up  a  conversation  and  succeeded  in  getting  a  little 
talking,  but  my  individual  exertions  grow  daily 
feebler,  and  the  last  two  days  I  have  in  despair  resigned 

92 


HAMPTON  COURT 

myself,  selon  les  autres,  to  total  silence.  This  is  only 
during  breakfast,  luncheon  and  dinner,  whenever  I 
am  alone  with  Julia  we  talk  most  rapidly  and  agree- 
ably as  I  am  exceedingly  fond  of  her  and  she  is  so  very 
affectionate  and  sympathetic.  I  generally  brush  my 
hair  in  her  room,  which  is  next  door  to  my  own.  There 
are  very  pretty  views  here,  but  the  first  day  or  two 
I  admired  nothing,  felt  perfectly  genee  and  uncom- 
fortable, now  I  have  worked  myself  into  greater  con- 
tentment ;  three  weeks  will  end,  and  then  I  hope  exceed- 
ingly to  meet  you  at  Hampton  Court — besides,  I  know 
it  is  very  wrong  to  be  discontented,  and  the  bracing 
air  and  constantly  being  out  of  doors  and  taking  long 
walks  may  tend  towards  the  moon-like  face  you  desire 
to  see  in  me. 

Dearest,  it  is  quite  true,  what  you  have  often  told 
me,  that  the  more  one  tries  to  do  and  to  think  rightly, 
the  easier  it  becomes — I  believe  I  have  found  this 
lately,  and  owing  to  all  you  have  said  to  me,  it  appears 
very  nice  to  look  to  you  always  for  advice. 

I  am  quite  sufficiently  all  that  is  wrong,  to  feel 
no  scruple  of  modesty  in  saying  I  am  a  very  little 
improved,  I  am  alluding  to  such  endeavours  at  self- 
denial  which  you  have  always  advised  as  to  small 
things  and  as  to  one's  thoughts. 

Good-bye,  for  I  find,  suddenly,  that  it  is  time  to 
give  my  letter  for  the  post. 


W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Miss  Elton  : 

188  PICCADILLY, 

21  June,  1841. 
My  dearest  Jane, 

Your  letter  this  morning  has  pleased  me  very 
very  much,  not  the  gossip  of  it,  which  is  sufficiently 
amusing — but  not  what  I  should  single  out  as  pleasing 

93 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

me  very,  very  much ;  I  mean  some  cheerful  assurances 
toward  the  end  which  I  could  not  read  without  great 
thankfulness.  Go  on  steadfastly  and  perse  veringly, 
and  good  must  be  the  result. 

In  the  afternoon,  Ward's  throat  being  incompetent 
to  another  discourse,  he  called  on  me  at  half  an  hour's 
notice.  Whereupon  I  edified  them  with  the  same  I 
used  at  St.  Mary's  last  Sunday  morning — for  no  other 
reason  than  that  it  was  plainly  written,  and  would 
not  require  any  getting  up.  Being  coughy  I  was 
rather  bothered,  and  did  not  deliver  it  as  well  as  ought 
to  be.  There  were  four  Bishops — St.  David's — Lincoln 
— Bangor,  and  pompous  Winchester.  Afterwards  I 
dined  with  Dowager  Lady  Lyttelton.  I  say  with  her 
because  I  think  the  concern  in  Eaton  Square  seems 
to  be  her's.  Young  Lady  L.  was  gone  to  Hawarden, 
Sir  Stephen  Glynn's  place — but  we  had  the  two  Miss 
L.'s — Lord  L.  and  Lord  George  Quin.  Very,  very 
pleasant  of  course — as  anything  must  be  in  which  the 
Dow.  Lady  is  prominent.  She  is  the  most  charming 
person  of  her  years  in  the  world — do  you  hear,  Jane  ! — 
the  most  charming  person  of  her  years  in  the  world — and 
I  see  no  reason  why  some  people,  if  they  will  attend 
to  what  some  other  people  say  and  advise — and  be 
industrious,  and  all  that,  should  not  be  quite  as 
charming  or  rather  as  much  more  so  when  they  arrive 
at  the  same  time  of  life  as  they  are  now  in  another 
way,  being  happily  somewhat  short  of  it. 

I  detest  "Humphrey's  Clock"  more  than  I  can 
tell  you — I  really  find  no  genius  in  it.  Except  Swiveller 
and  Mrs.  Jarley  I  have  not  found  a  natural  character 
in  the  story.  (All  the  rest  are  badly  selected — badly 
conceived — badly  overdrawn.)  Not  one  of  them  is 
a  type  of  a  class.  And  for  structure,  surely  never 
was  a  story  worse.  No — Dickens  won't  do. 

94 


HARRY  HALLAM 

Miss  Elton  to  W.  H.  Brookfield  : 

HENLEY  PARK, 

25th  June,  41. 
My  dearest  William, 

As  I  was  with  "  frenetic  "  haste  rushing  through 
the  end  of  my  dressing  I  just  ran  my  eye  over  your 
note,  putting  on  my  clothes  the  while,  and  was  at 
last  in  time  for  prayers,  which  I  dread  missing  to  a 
degree  :  the  other  day  I  kept  the  carriage  waiting 
one  minute  and  a  half,  ran  down-stairs,  feeling 
quite  secure  of  a  good  reception  —  was  greeted  by 
a  knit  brow  (from  my  uncle)  and,  "  My  dear  Jane, 
you  should  learn  to  be  punctual,  you  should  be  in 
time — it  is  very  easy  to  be  ready,  when  you  know 
beforehand  the  time  the  carriage  was  ordered  !  "  I 
had  never  been  late  for  the  carriage  before  then, 
and  certainly  never  since.  I  suppose  you  will  find 
me  a  pattern  of  punctuality  after  this  visit ;  I  wish 
it  may  be  the  case,  but  it  is  in  dread  of  a  repri- 
mand that  I  am  in  time  now.  To-day  I  was  so  tired 
when  I  awoke,  that  in  a  moment  of  infatuation,  I 
suffered  myself  to  he  stolidly  happy  and  revolving 
thro'  my  mind  all  the  kind,  delightful  things  you  have 
ever  said  to  me  (perfectly  endless  you  know)  suddenly 
the  knit  brow  appeared  to  my  mind's  eye,  and  it  is 
extraordinary  in  how  short  a  time  I  dressed  myself 
without  any  curtailings.  I  do  not  think  I  have  ever 
received  anything  like  crossness  from  Uncle  H.  since 
I  have  been  here,  except  on  that  one  occasion  of  the 
carriage.  Julia  heard  to-day,  from  Lady  Palgrave, 
that  it  is  quite  true  Mr.  Whewell  is  engaged  to  be 
married  to  Miss  C.  M.  They  have  constantly  met  of 
late  in  Mr.  Hullah's  singing  class,  she  is  a  very  nice 
girl  the  Hallams  say,  and  pretty,  and  Miss  Rogers 
vouches  for  the  truth  of  the  engagement.  Miss  Mar- 
shall is  sister  to  Lady  Mounteagle  you  know. 

95 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

Can  it  be  possible  that  I  have  written  half  a  sheet 
with  no  word  about  "  The  Regatta  !  "     I  had  really 
quite  looked  forward  to  it  as  something  to  write  about. 
Harry  Hallam  being  here  made  it  much  more  amusing  ; 
all  the  morning  we  were  discussing  what  would  be  the 
best  place  for  the  carriage  to  overlook  the  river,  when 
an  idea  occurred  to  send  to  Mr.  Freeman's  (the  grand 
person  of  this  part  of  the  world,  to  whom  this  house 
belongs,  besides  an  immense  place  where  he  lives  him- 
self) and  to  ask  permission  to  drive  into  a  certain 
meadow  of    his,  which  would  overlook    the    regatta 
beautifully.     Boosey  was  despatched  with  the  message, 
and  gave  to  Uncle  H.  the  mere  information  that  Mr. 
Freeman  was  out,  but  Mr.  Hughes,  the  steward,  would 
"  send  a  note  to  his  master  to  ask  leave  for  us  to  stand 
under   a   certain   Marquee   instead   of   the   meadow, 
though  he  would  only  say  we  asked  for  the  meadow, 
and  send  a  man  and  horse  here  (about  two  miles), 
directly  he   had  the  answer."      To  Harry,  however, 
when   probed,    Boosey   with  the    cheerful    air    of    a 
man  who  was  giving  great  pleasure,  further  deposed 
that    Mr.    Hughes    had    given     up   his   own   house, 
Phillis  Hall,    to   Mr.  Freeman    for    the  day,    where 
"  the   Marquee  was  prepared,   and   his    master    had 
some    company."        Phillis    Hall    being    still    nearer 
the   river  than   Mr.    Freeman's  Meadow,  our  horror 
was    that    between    Mr.    Hughes   and    Mr.    Boosey 
we  should  have  the  effect  of  pushing  for  an  invitation 
to  join  the  Marquee  party,  and  as  my  Uncle  knows 
Mr.  Freeman,  he  might  just  as  well  have  invited  us 
without  our  pushing.     Harry's  imagination  was  the 
most   vivid,  in  picturing  the  cold  collation — Cham- 
pagne— Marquee  with  streamer  flying — Band  of  music 
— and  all  the  County    in  new  bonnets,  standing  in 
groups,  knowing  each  other  intimately,  and  in  refined 
intimacy    of    full    conversation ;    while  our   carriage, 

96 


HENLEY  REGATTA 

perfectly  loaded  with  ourselves  and  the  Rushworth 
children,  etc.,  all  as  Harry  said,  "  looking  shamefully 
dowdy  "  (being  in  deep  mourning  for  Aunt  Hallam) 
except  Jane.  And  all  strangers,  would  slowly  roll 
forwards,  all  eyes  directed  to  us,  and  Mr.  Freeman 
coming  to  receive  us,  with  innumerable  apologies 
for  not  having  sent  to  invite  us,  "  but  this  is 
so  friendly,  Mr.  Hallam,  in  you  to  invite  yourself. 
I  have  had  four  more  covers  laid,  but  will  order 
some  more,  your  party  being  large.  Sorry  the 
Marquee  will  only  hold  twenty-one,  but  your 
party  shall  have  a  table  outside,  I  hope  they've 
brought  dancing  shoes  to  join  our  hop  on  the  green, 
this  evening" — and  so  on. 

We  became  so  thoroughly  worked  up  by  these 
ideas  that  we  told  Uncle  H.  our  horrors,  who 
was  thunderstruck,  and  we  were  still  in  conster- 
nation, when  the  clatter  of  horses'  feet  was  heard, 
and  Mr.  Freeman  himself  appeared,  sent  for  Uncle 
H.  to  come  to  him  at  the  door.  "  Too  much  hur- 
ried to  alight — just  time  to  say — Phillis  Hall  much 
the  best  place.  Bring  all  your  party,  don't  go  to  the 
meadow,  see  wretchedly  there,  a  few  friends  and 
Marquee,  would  have  sent  up  to  invite  you,  but  did 
not  know  you  were  here  yet,"  or  some  such  excuse 
I  forget  exactly  "  only  just  come  home  myself — you 
must  join  us  at  Phillis  Hall,  great  haste  "  and  off  he 
galloped !  So  with  infinitely  relieved  consciences  we 
did  go  to  Phillis  Hall,  and  the  lawn  was  covered  with 
groups  of  smart  people  certainly,  so  that  Harry  and  I 
were  just  agreeing  our  expectations  were  fully  verified, 
when  we  found  the  greater  number  of  the  company 
assembled,  comprised  the  Goldings  (our  own  cousins, — 
the  same  relation  as  the  Bournes)  who  are  very  pretty 
and  nice  girls,  with  their  father,  and  Robert  Palmer, 
(another  cousin)  the  Philimores,  friends  of  the  Hallams, 

97 

8— (2309) 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

and    two   or    three    Etonians,    whom    Harry    knew, 
besides,  of  all  people,  George  Durbin,  who  has  been 
seven  years  at  sea,  but  whom  I  recognised  by  the 
family  likeness  at  the  first  coup  d'ceil,  and  who  followed 
us,  as  a  shadow,  all  day.     Mr.  Freeman  (who  is  a  very 
handsome,  youngish  man)   married  a  niece  of  Mrs. 
Durbin's,  a  Miss  Wirley  Birch,  (I  don't  know  how  to 
spell  Wirley)  and  George  Durbin  accordingly  is  on  a 
visit  to  the  grand  man  of  Henley,  and  seemed  much 
pleased  with  it — he  is  grown  quite  as  broad  as  tall — 
bronzed  and  freckled  with  North  America  and  West 
Indian  alterations,  and  withal  good  natured,  but  he 
bored  me  to  so  great  a  degree,  that  I   hardly  could 
talk  to  him  at  last,  and  with  Harry  (who  partly  in 
honour  of  my  being  smartly  dressed,  partly  because 
he  is  fond  of  me),  remained  all  day  by  my  side.     I 
continually  dodged  out  of  his  way,  but  was  sure  to 
be  recaptured  again  ere  long — the  round  face  and  large 
light  whiskers,  appearing  with  a  beam  in  our  path 
just  as  one  had  left  it  ten  yards  off.     Further,  the  race 
was  so  delayed  that  we  were  frequently  caught  in 
showers  of  rain,  while  waiting  on  the  river's  brink, 
and  had  to  rush  for  refuge  to  the  Marquee  where, 
instead  of  champagne,  etc.,  there  were  a  row  of  neat 
maids — dispensing   sponge   and   plum   cake,   cut   up, 
with  tea  and  coffee  (we  had  had  luncheon  ourselves.) 
At  length  the  boats  appeared  and  we  saw  one  very 
good  race  between  Cambridge,  Oxford  and  London. 
London  was   far  behind,    Oxford    frequently  ahead, 
but  in  the  end,  of  course,  Cambridge  beat.     Such  a 
noise,  hurraying  and  clamour.     I  never  was  at  a  re- 
gatta before,  so  was  quite  unprepared  what  to  expect 
— I  believe  we  are  going  again  to-day,  but  the  weather 
is  doubtful,  and  we  got  so  tired  of  all  the  waiting 
yesterday,  we  don't  wish  to  go,  but  my  Uncle  enters 
with  so  much  gusto  into  the  whole  thing,  that  he 


THE  STERLING  CLUB 

evidently  would  be  much  disappointed  if  we  declined, 
also  when  called  upon  by  Mr.  Freeman  to  join  in  a 
half-crown  subscription  for  the  watermen,  yesterday, 
my  Uncle  gave  a  pound  to  Mr.  Freeman's  amaze, 
who  uttered  "  Oh,  gracious,"  but  pocketed  it — so  he 
says  he  must  have  "  at  least  a  pound's  worth  of  fun." 
Is  it  possible  that  I  have  filled  a  sheet  with  this  stupid 
Regatta  ?  I  must  leave  off,  dearest.  Harry  went 
back  yesterday  evening  to  Eton. 

You  don't   like  me  to  sign,  Jenny,  so  I  ought  to 
say  Jane. 


W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Miss  Elton  : 

30th  June,  1841. 

I  have  just  been  told  that  I  have  been  elected  a 
Member  of  the  Sterling  Club — a  knot  of  about  50  men, 
all  more  or  less  worthy  and  notable — who  meet  on 
Tuesday  in  every  month  to  dine  and  chat.  It  consists 
chiefly  of  those  of  the  Spedding  and  Milnes  stamp. 
Trench,  Wilberforce,  Bishop  St.  David's,  Carry le, 
Kemble  and  such  like.  I  was  proposed  when  I  was 
in  Southampton  about  a  year  ago  and  blackballed  by 
two — which  was  enough.  Goulbourne  was  treated 
with  the  same  sauce  at  same  time,  the  concern  affect- 
ing to  be  very  exclusive.  It  was  not  a  thing  to  be 
mortified  at — but  still  I  would  not  I  think  knowingly 
have  allowed  myself  to  be  proposed  again,  tho*  of 
course  my  being  in  London  must  make  a  difference. 
However,  unknown  to  myself  I  was  elected  last  week, 
and  was  told  it  only  just  now  casually  in  the  street, 
and  am  pleased  therewith.  Mayhap  your  Uncle  may 
know  the  Club  by  name. 


99 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Miss  Elton  : 

188  VESTRY, 

6  Oct.,  41. 
My  dearest  Jenny, 

Your  letter  is  exceedingly  nice,  though  deficient 
in  cheerfulness.  But  after  all  one  would  hardly  wish 
you  to  be  always  cheerful.  Your  mind  is  as  nearly 
as  I  can  judge  precisely  the  constitution  I  should  most 
desire — and  if  some  fallings  short  of  continuous  repose 
and  equanimity  be  a  necessary  condition  or  result 
it  can't  be  helped — So  let  it  be — I  would  rather  it 
were  so  than  play  tricks  with  such  a  soul  in  trying  to 
mend  it.  Bless  you — most  dear  heart — a  thousand 
fold. 

What  has  somewhat  bewildered  me,  however, 
about  your  letter — and  what  embarrasses  me  so  that 
I  even  fear  whether  I  shall  get  coherently  thro*  this 
answer  thereto,  is  how  in  theee  wide  world  it  comes 
to  pass  that  Gengy  Brigstock,  being  married  to  Mr. 
Graham,  should  take  the  name  of  Emma  Eagles  when 
everybody  else  calls  her  Cecilia  Beddoes.*  Possibly 
I  may  confound  her  with  Alicia  Touchet.  But  as  it 
has  been  the  one  subject  of  your  ambition  to  perplex 
me  on  this  point  I  ask  no  explanation. 

I  wish  with  all  manner  of  considerateness  and  even 
submission  to  remind  you  also  that  in  three  successive 
letters — I  think  successive — you  have  been  guilty  of 
a  servile  imitation  of  K.  B.  in  using  the  expression 
"  Ann  Bullar  and  her  have  decided,"  etc., — "  disturbed 
a  tete-a-tete  between  Cap .  Mortimer  and  I . "  ' '  Graham 
sat  with  Emma  and  I  relating  his  ill-usage  of  his 
parents,"  etc.,  etc., — which  solecisms  owe  their  principal 
charm  to  reminding  me  of  K.  B. 


*  A  niece  of  Maria  Edgeworth  and  a  friend  of  Jane  Elton. 

IOO 


THINKING  OF  MARRIAGE 

You  are  so  very,  very  seldom  guilty  of  any  incor- 
rectness that  I  know,  my  kind  child,  you  will  forgive 
my  noting  the  above. 

I  agree  with  you  that  it  would  be  better  not  to 
haggle  about  the  money,  (Oh,  this  vile  theme)  which 
I  have  being  settled,  propose  it  at  once  and  leave  any 
modification  of  the  settlement  for  after  consideration. 
I  hope  the  interview  with  the  Man  of  Ur  will  not  be 
long  deferred,  I  want  very  much  to  have  something 
to  proceed  upon.  You  will  write  to  me  the  same  night 
if  possible.  If  he  had  any  mercies  he  would  offer  us 
Clevedon  to  go  to  for  the  burying.* 

I  took  my  walk  with  Ld.  Lyttelton  yesterday,  f 
We  started  at  one — walked  leisurely  till  half-past 
three,  when  we  found  ourselves  at  Highgate  Hill. 
Here  we  made  entry  into  a  4th  rate  tavern — ordered 
beefsteak,  potatoes — ale — enjoyed  the  repast  much — 
but  not  more  than  the  walk  which  was  most  mirthful, 
and  not  all  devoid  of  gravity.  I  revealed  as  we  sat 
after  dinner,  my  hopes — at  which  he  seemed  pleased, 
and  talked  encouragingly.  (I  always  speak  as  if  he 
were  older  than  I,  which  in  normal  truth  he  is  by 
as  many  years  as  I  am  older  than  he  in  historical 
fact.) 

*  This  was  in  reference  to  their  honeymoon.  The  Eltons  had 
returned  to  Clifton  by  then  in  order  to  be  near  Sir  Abraham,  who 
was  now  of  a  great  age — and  as  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Brookfield  and 
Miss  Jane  Elton  was  to  take  place  in  November  it  was  necessary 
to  break  news  of  it  to  him.  Jane  managed  the  interview  most 
successfully,  the  old  gentleman  fell  in  love  with  her  and  promised 
to  portion  her,  and  as  she  left  the  room  shook  her  and  said  "  Now, 
don't  let  me  see  you  again  until  you  are  married,  my  dear." 

t  The  invitation  for  this  walk  began  :  "  O  pleasant  Presbyter 
and  future  Bishop,  Trinity  man,  Preacher  at  Tenison's,  not  un- 
known to  Fame." 

IOI 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

Miss  Elton  to  W.  H.  Brookfield  : 

1th  October, 

PARAGON, 

1841. 
Dearest  William, 

My  letters  to  you  for  this  long  time  (to-night 
included)  have  been  so  hurried,  that  I  do  not  at  all 
wonder  at  their  not  having  been  very  correct  as  to 
that  most  puzzling  of  all  branches  of  grammar,  personal 
pronouns ;  and  even  in  writing  they  have  of  late  been 
fearfully  slatternly  and  deservative  of  a  reprimand 
such  as  once  fell  from  you  at  the  time  of  my  Rheuma- 
tism. I  think  Monday  will  be  the  day  for  the  Clevedon 
visit,  the  weather  has  been  such  pouring  rain  ever 
since  we  have  been  here  that  I  could  not  urge  poor 
Papa  to  pay  the  visit  earlier  as  he  hates  travelling  in 
bad  weather ;  however,  we  may  do  it  by  the  train  I 
think,  till  within  five  miles  of  Clevedon,  which  would 
be  much  pleasanter  than  two  hours  in  the  coach.  I 
am  quite  of  your  opinion  as  to  a  very  quiet  affair  being 
desirable,  and  I  would  not  (for  the  world)  have  Tom, 
Dick  and  Harry  to  look  on,  but  I  think  sisters  who 
are  in  the  place  must  be  invited,  and  Aunt  Marianne 
because  she  is  Mamma's  sister,  to  whom  she  was  ex- 
ceedingly attached,  but  I  don't  know  that  she  would 
come  as  she  fears  I  am  going  to  be  "  starved." 

What  do  you  think  ?  Only  conceive  Emily  Tenny- 
son (I  really  can  hardly  even  now  believe  it)  Emily 
Tennyson  is  actually  going  to  be  married — and  to 
whom  after  such  a  man  as  Arthur  Hallam.  To  a  boy 
in  the  Navy,  supposed  to  be  a  Midshipman.  It  is  a 
state  secret  that  Uncle  H.  allows  Emily  anything  per 
annum,  so  don't  mention  it  to  anyone.  Is  it  not  extra- 
ordinary— painful — unbelievable,  this  intended  mar- 
riage ?  Poor  Julia  felt  it  dreadfully  at  first — I  remem- 
ber her  saying  Emily  would  never  dream  of  marrying 

102 


EMILY  TENNYSON 

— that  she  was  a  kind  of  Nun  now,  and  that  nothing 
was  more  impossible  than  her  marrying — she  had  felt 
Arthur's  death  so  much — it  had  even  injured  her 
health  ;  and  can  you  conceive  anyone  whom  he  had 
loved,  putting  up  with  another  ?  I  feel  so  distressed 
about  this,  really  it  quite  hurts  me,  I  had  such  a 
romantic  admiration  for  her,  looked  at  her  with  such 
pity,  and  now  all  my  feeling  about  her  is  bouleversed — 
and  Alfred  Tennyson  falls  headlong  into  the  abyss 
with  her — but  I  cannot  think  he  would  like  her  to 
marry.  Julia  Hallam  always  considered  her  quite 
as  her  own  sister,  and  of  course  Uncle  H.  could  never 
have  contemplated  her  marrying  again  (it  is  just 
the  same  thing  as  marrying  again.)  She  wrote  and 
told  them  of  her  intentions  when  they  were  at  Brussels, 
which  cast  rather  a  damp  over  their  stay  there.  Her 
letter  was  evidently  written  in  great  trepidation, 
Caroline  said,*  and  of  course  she  must  have  felt  dread- 
fully in  writing  it.  If  the  Gentleman  were  a  man  of 
astounding  talents  one  would  try  and  get  over  it,  but  all 
one  hears  is  that  he  is  R.N.  On  the  Hallams  returning 
to  England,  their  housekeeper  produced  a  little  note 
in  a  strange  hand  addressed  to  her,  beginning  "  Cir- 
cumstances making  it  of  the  greatest  importance  that 
I  should  know  Mr.  Hallam's  address,  I  shall  be 
much  obliged  by  your  sending  it  to  me  to  my  ship  " 
(this  was  the  effect  of  the  note,  I  cannot  vouch  for 
each  word).  Now  why  in  the  world  should  not  Emily 
herself  have  written  to  the  housekeeper  whom  she 
knows  well — I  don't  know  if  the  engagement  is  to  be 
kept  secret  at  present. 

I  am  glad  you  had  an   enjoyable  walk  with  Lord 
Lyttelton,  malgre  the  blistered  foot.     I  must  end  now. 

*  Caroline  was  the  one  of  her  sisters  who  usually  travelled  with 
the  Hallams. 

103 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

W.  H.  Brookfield  to  Miss  Elton : 

188  PICCADILLY. 

7  Oct.,  41. 
My  dearest  Jenny, 

I  wish  you  would  not  write  on  such  blackguard 
irregular  pieces  of  paper.  Why  can't  you  use  uniform 
octavo  sheets  as  I  always  do,  and  moreover  date  them 
properly. 

Post  town. 
Place. 

Day.     Year   of   grace. 

This  however  is  rather  ungrateful  in  me — for  I  was 
excessively  pleased  to  receive  your  letter. 

I  am  all  impatience  to  know  the  result  of  this  pre- 
liminary enterprise.  You  are  as  brave  as  a  knight, 
and  indeed  ought  to  be  knighted  on  the  spot  if  you 
succeed  with  the  old  lion.  Be  bold  and  fortunate. 

I  thought  of  you,  and  with  more  pleasant  analogy 
than  I  can  tell,  when  I  was  reading  two  or  three  nights 
ago  of  Carlyle's  prime  favourite,  Mme.  Roland,  shelling 
beans  for  dinner  on  their  second  floor  in  the  Rue  St. 
Jaques.  I  thought,  I  mean,  of  you  living  in  London, 
a  deep  souled  but  poor  wife,  rich  in  most  things  but 
money.  A  change,  however,  is  granted  to  her  which 
I  fear  does  not  await  you.  And  again  a  change  after- 
wards which  made  awful  balance  against  such  eleva- 
tion. I  fear  you  will  never  be  tried  with  the  Or  Moulu 
but  I  have  no  doubt  of  your  getting  through  the  shel- 
ling of  beans  most  Roland  like. 

Did  I  say  that  Lyttelton  and  I  repeat  our  stroll 
on  Monday  next  in  the  low  parts  of  the  City — to  see 
unwonted  sights.  We  shall  go  along  the  River  side 
towards  Limehouse,  etc.,  where  all  the  murders  are 
committed  you  know ! 

Tell  your  Father  the  following  with  my  sincere 
respect  and  good  wishes. 

104 


UNCLERICAL  ADVICE 

The  new  Bishop  of  New  Zealand,  in  a  farewell 
and  pathetic  interview  with  his  mother,  after  his  ap- 
pointment, was  thus  addressed  by  her  in  such  sequence 
as  sobs  and  tears  would  permit. 

"  I  suppose  they  will  eat  you  my  dear — I  try  to 
think  otherwise,  but  I  suppose  they  will.  Well ! — 
We  must  leave  it  in  the  hands  of  Providence.  But  if 
they  do — mind,  my  dear,  and  disagree  with  them." 

You  seem  to  me  daily  more  worthy  of  all  that  a 
woman  with  a  soul  could  value  than  before. 

W.  H.  B. 

I  forgot  to  say  that  at  Highgate  Hill,  in  the 
Tavern  we  found  diamond  scratchings  on  the  window 
panes — and  roared  to  discover  "  Jane  is  lovely."  Lyttel- 
ton  said  it  was  evidently  not  my  first  visit  to  Highgate. 
Tell  your  Father  this. 

Miss  Elton  to  W.  H.  Brookfield  : 

CLIFTON, 

10  Oct.,  41. 

....  Leaving  this  financial  topic,  in  deep  abasement 
of  spirit  at  having  been  compelled  by  the  duties  of 
my  position  towards  you,  to  introduce  it,  I  feel  as  if 
I  should  be  under  a  cloud  for  the  remainder  of  the 
letter. 

I  am  glad  you  were  astonished  at  Emily  T.  I 
have  not  got  over  it  yet.  She  appears  to  have  written 
such  a  very  "  flummery  "  letter  to  Julia  Hallam — to 
be  sure  it  was  a  very  difficult  one  to  write,  but  I  dislike 
the  humbug  of  saying  "  My  beloved  Mother — I  feel  I 
cannot  disguise  it  from  myself — must  ere  very  long  be 
taken  from  us,  and  I  have  felt  much  influenced  in  my 
intended  marriage  by  the  thought  of  my  future  un- 
protected state,"  etc.,  when  her  £300  per  annum 
was  expressly  intended  to  render  her  quite  independent, 
and  of  course,  to  obviate  her  marrying  merely  for  a 

105 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

comfortable  home.  Mrs.  Tennyson  is  in  excellent 
health  and  not  (as  from  Emily's  letter  one  would  suppose) 
in  a  rapid  consumption,  so  altogether  the  excuse  was 
a  bad  one.  Uncle  H.  told  Caroline  he  was  sure  E.  T. 
would  not  have  ventured  upon  the  marriage  had  my 
Aunt  been  alive, — but  that  "as  to  her  allowance,  it 
should  of  course,  make  no  difference  in  that."  The 
Tennyson's  are  reckoned  proud,  and  I  suppose  Emily 
felt  twinges  in  having  to  say  "  I  must  leave  it,  of 
course,  entirely  to  you  whether  or  not  you  continue 
the  annuity  you  have  so  generously  allowed  me,"  and 
then  he  writing  himself  to  the  housekeeper,  looks  as 
if  he  were  so  very  anxious  for  the  Hallams'  answer 
about  the  matter.  Caroline  says  it  is  to  be  kept  secret 
at  present,  this  engagement. 

We  have  been  to  Clifton  Church  to-day,  not  Mr. 
Hunt's,  though  I  met  him  yesterday  and  received  a 
beaming  squeeze  of  the  hand. 

Miss  Elton  to  W.  H.  Brookfield : 

CLIFTON, 

3  PARAGON, 

14th  Oct. 
My  dearest  William, 

I  feel  quite  different,  except  in  some  broad  features 
which  have  been  with  me  from  my  birth  (not  outward 
features,  as  mouth,  eyes  or  nose)  to  what  I  was  when 
I  lived  here  last — and  I  am  afraid  what  is  chiefly  the 
same  in  me  are  my  faults — I  am  equally  lazy  as  to  early 
rising,  equally  devoted  to  any  glimmer  of  admiration 
from  any  one,  as  I  was  when  I  was  four  years  old ; 
the  only  difference  in  these  respects  being — I  am  afraid 
— that  I  have  more  sense  of  their  folly  and  waste  of 
time.  As  to  the  "  love  of  admiration  "  it  has  been  in 
abeyance  for  some  time,  but  to-day  I  found  myself 
quite  excited  as  I  was  walking  out  and  really  thinking 

1 06 


DR.  PUSEY 

to  myself  (which  I  assure  you  I  very  seldom  do)  that 
I  was  looking  remarkably  nice  and  thought  several 
persons  appeared  to  think  so.  On  discovering  this 
folly  I  will  do  myself  the  justice  to  say  I  felt  crushed 
to  the  size  of  a  diminutive  gnat  or  fly.  I  don't  think 
there's  any  doubt  of  Grandpapa's  opening  your  letter 
in  process  of  time,  and  it  is  very  unlike  him  to  leave 
it  unanswered,  as  he  piques  himself  on  a  Courtierly 
exactness  in  such  gentlemanliness  as  acknowledging 
the  receipt  of  letters,  and  I  think  he  would  have  a  great 
horror  of  giving  any  stranger  a  low  opinion  of  his 
perfect  politeness.  I  am  glad  you  wrote  to  him 
without  waiting  till  you  had  told  me,  for  I  dare  say  I 
should  have  tried  to  disuade  you  from  it,  before  I 
saw  what  you  had  written. 

You  don't  like  me  to  say  anything  that  I  feel  to- 
wards you — and  I  would  not  for  the  world  get  into  the 
habit  again,  of  attempting  to  do  so — and  perhaps  you 
are  right,  for  no  words  that  I  ever  can  find  show  what 
I  feel,  while  other  people  seem  to  have  no  difficulty 
or  if  they  have  difficulty  it  does  not  appear,  and  I 
almost  envy  others  their  power  of  writing  such  grati- 
tude stirring  things, 

Dr.  Pusey  preaches  at  Clifton  Church  next  Sunday, 
I  am  curious  to  hear  him.  I  never  heard  any  one  I 
liked,  after  your  preaching,  until  the  other  day  at 
Winchester  College  Chapel,  where  I  heard  Dr.  Moberly, 
and  was  much  struck  by  his  sermon,  so  as  to  remember 
parts  of  it  now — which  is  what  one  does  not  often  do. 

I  wonder  how  Dr.  Pusey  will  please,  he  has  pre- 
sented a  beautiful  painted  window  to  Clifton  Church, 
which  was  not  yet  finished  putting  up  last  Sunday, 
so  the  window  frame  was  covered  by  a  huge  sack-cloth 
curtain,  from  ceiling  to  floor,  and  Sacrament  being 
administered  at  the  altar  where  this  window  is,  it 
reminded  me  of  ancient  Christians  receiving  it  in  some 

107 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

hidden  and  almost  unsheltered  place — for  the  wind 
swayed  this  curtain  to  and  fro,  and  the  rain  was  pour- 
ing down.  The  Huntites  are  in  great  alarm  at  this 
fostering  care  exhibited  by  Pusey,  and  fear  all  Clifton 
will  go  astray.  Mrs.  Henry  Elton  is  dying  to  hear 
him  preach,  but  would  not  go  on  any  account,  as  it  would 
seem  to  show  she  gave  her  countenance  to  such  Popish 
doctrines. 

I  suppose  Pusey 's  interest  at  Clifton  commenced 
by  his  two  little  girls  being  at  school  here,  the  little 
Stuarts  are  at  the  same  school  with  them,  and  say  they 
are  "  poor  little  thin  creatures,  and  fast  regularly 
twice  a  week,  and  have  a  list  of  rules  to  follow,  which 
their  father  wrote  out  for  them,"  nothing  much  more 
atrocious  in  all  this,  than  that  people  "  were  so  very 
ill-natured  as  to  say  the  eldest  Miss  Onslow  was  writing 
an  essay  on  Zinc." 

I  should  be  overjoyed  to  hear  Newman  preach, 
but  don't  so  much  care  about  Pusey.  Uncle  Hallam's 
description  of  Newman's  preaching  was  that  he 
"  mumbled  as  fast  as  he  could,  used  no  action  whatever, 
and  tried  to  give  it  as  little  external  attractiveness  as 
possible,  in  short  came  as  near  to  a  Catholic  Priest 
as  he  could — that's  what  they  all  do,  these  Oxford 


men." 


And  this,  on  the  same  day  that  poor  Julia  was  so 
enraptured  at  having  merely  caught  sight  of  him  !  She 
never  says  a  word  about  her  Newman  passion  to  her 
father,  so  that  he  talks  away  quite  unconscious  of  any 
dissentient  voice  being  present.  I  believe  he  will 
bring  Julia  to  us  either  Monday  or  Tuesday  in  next 
week — and  he  will  sleep  a  couple  of  nights  here,  as 
he  has  to  go  to  Clevedon  to  look  at  monuments,  I 
fancy. 

You  can't  think  how  well  papa  is  looking  now — 
he  has  left  off  all  his  old  clothes  and  come  out  in  a  style 

108 


WEDDING  BELLS 

of  magnificence  which  would  quite  surprise  you. 
I  suppose  with  a  view  to  his  usual  theory  that  every- 
body knows  him  here,  and  knows  how  to  spell  his 
name,  etc.,  he  must  be  elegant,  while  at  Southampton 
he  concluded  himself  in  a  state  of  sublime  seclusion. 

Miss  Elton  to  W.  H.  Brookfield  : 

3  PARAGON, 

26th  Oct.,  1841. 
My  dearest  William, 

The  Marcets  have  cleared  away,  leaving  a  pleasant 
impression,  and  Julia  Hallam  is  with  us,  and  two  or 
three  dinner  parties  await  us,  Henry  Elton's,  Lud- 
low's,  etc.  By-the-bye  I  have  come  to  the  conclusion 
Mrs.  H.  E.  is  a  likeable  person,  she  is  always  very  kind 
to  me  and  always  maintained  with  some  asperity  on 
all  occasions  that  my  engagement  was  an  excellent 
thing,  you  would  be  a  very  good  match — such  talents 
as  people  said  you  had — and  that  she  must  say  she  did 
not  see  how  I  could  do  better.  Then  she  never  makes 
speeches,  and  she  never  kisses,  and  she  does  both  to 
me,  and  with  so  much  frankness  and  cordiality,  altho' 
I  know  it  is  an  unusual  thing  I  am  getting  to  like  her 
sincerely.  She  told  Uncle  Hallam,  Saturday,  that 
she  thought  much  of  my  engagement  to  you.  "  Oh 
dear,  yes !  Mr.  Brookfield' s  sure  to  get  on,  sure  to 
get  on."  I  shall  be  amused  to  introduce  you  to  our 
patroniser. 

Actually  I  have  written  two  pages  and  not  said 
how  greatly  delighted  I  shall  be  if  you  can  arrange 
to  come  here  the  7th.  I  have  so  great  a  desire  to  see 
you,  and  your  voluntary  offer  puts  to  the  blush  my 
yesterday's  entreaties. 

If  you  are  able  to  come  here  we  shall  decide  who 
we  must  have  at  Church.  Give  me  your  opinion  as 
to  a  wedding  gown.  Julia  Hallam  amused  me  this 

109 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

morning  by  saying  when  I  was  reading  your  letter  at 
breakfast,  "  So  you've  had  a  letter  from  your  dear 
Mr.  Brookfield."  She  seems  a  little  more  resigned  to 
Emily  Tennyson's  marriage,  after  a  letter  from  Miss 
Heath  to  console  her,  with  vindications  of  Emily  on 
the  ground  of  there  being  so  very  few  in  this  world 
from  whom  one  could  hope  for  sympathy,  and  love, 
that  every  allowance  must  be  made,  etc.,  etc.,  but 
still  Julia  says  if  he  had  only  been  some  very  talented 
and  prominent  person  it  would  have  been  better, 
instead  of  one  nobody  had  ever  heard  of. 

Uncle  Hallam,  I  believe,  is  just  going  to  Manchester 
for  the  Literary  Meeting.  Papa  accomplished  his 
business  at  Wells  very  comfortably,  and  is  regularly 
re-oathed  as  magistrate.  I  should  have  multitudinous 
millions  to  say  to  you  if  I  were  talking  with  you,  but 
with  "  this  dumb  pen  " — as  (Anne  Bullar  calls  it) — I 
feel  shackled. 


Mr.  Brookfield  to  Miss  Elton  : 

188  PICCADILLY, 

29  Oct.,  41. 
Darling, 

Your  semitones  arrived  safely  in  the  most  scanda- 
lously short  scrabble  that  ever  was  penned  by  blushing 
bride.  Pray  let  your  next  make  some  amends.  I 
am  not  tired  of  receiving  nice  letters  from  you — and 
they  do  not  lose  their  value  because  we  are  so  soon 
to  meet.  I  believe,  Jenny,  that  I  am  going  to  be 
joined  to  the  finest  minded  girl  in  England.  Mind 
you  keep  up  the  impression — "  I  am  very  particular 
about  it " — of  quickest  and  most  apprehensive  wit — 
most  genuine  modesty  of  thought  and  feeling — and 
of,  I  think,  unmatch'd  affectionateness.  I  never 
saw  such  a  one — nor  ever  shall  besides  yourself. 

no 


WEDDING  BELLS 

I  look  forward  with  the  greatest  confidence  to 
much  more  and  better  things  than  a  pleasant  life 
with  you  my  dear,  dear  girl — "  privations  from  narrow 
income  "  notwithstanding.  And  this  not  for  any  cause 
residing  in  myself — but  because  of  your  own  excellent 
nature,  my  good  true  soul.  All  your  faults  on  the  sur- 
face, your  virtues  most  of  them  on  the  surface,  but  all 
of  them  below  also.  Dearest,  dearest  Jane,  never  had 
bride  so  high  a  character  to  sustain  as  you  will  have 
with  me — and  I  have  not  formed  my  estimate  in  a 
hurry — nor  has  it  ever  fluctuated,  but  always  advanced. 
God  bless  you  my  sweetest,  gentlest,  truest  girl — and 
make  me  more  deserving  such  a  gift. 

W.  H.  B. 


in 


CHAPTER    IV 

Marriage.  Introduction  to  London.  Clevedon.  Tunbridge 
Wells.  Emily  Tennyson.  Mrs.  Brookfield's  Humour.  A  Present 
from  Thackeray.  Sydney  Smith.  At  Mr.  Gladstone's.  Rhyming 
Invitation  from  Thackeray.  Rogers'  Breakfasts.  The  Wreck  of 
an  Illusion.  Noble  young  Philanthropists.  Chaunts.  "  Rever- 
ence." The  Artists'  Dinner.  Dickens.  Lord  Palmerston's  Blunder. 
Archdeacon  Manning.  The  Dean's  Robe.  Historical  Tendencies. 

The  Brookfields  were  married  at  Clifton,  November 
18th,  1841,  and  Mr.  Hallam  journeyed  from  London  on 
purpose  to  be  present  at  the  ceremony.  Their  honey- 
moon, which  was  spent  at  Weston-super-Mare,  was 
brightened  by  many  a  witty  and  characteristic  letter 
from  their  many  witty  friends. 

They  reached  London  about  Christmas  ;  and,  having 
taken  rooms  in  Jermyn  Street,  began  at  once  a  new 
and  delightful  life.  Never  before,  perhaps,  did  a  young 
couple  fall  so  quickly  or  with  such  ease  and  grace,  into 
so  unique  a  position,  surrounded  as  they  were  by  a 
bright  and  cultured  circle  of  relations  and  friends,  old 
and  new.  For  in  addition  to  their  own  families  and  to 
Mr.  Brookfield's  old  Cambridge  allies,  new  acquaint- 
ances— many  of  them  distinguished  socially  as  well  as 
intellectually — sought  their  friendship,  took  them  to 
their  hearts  and  combined  to  place  them  in  a  sphere 
more  brilliant  and  far  more  exclusive  than  any  that 
has  existed  since.  Monckton  Milnes,  Spedding, 
Blakesley,  and  Francis  Garden  were  amongst  the  first 

112 


INTRODUCTION  TO  LONDON  SOCIETY 

of  their  visitors.  It  was  in  one  of  the  early  months 
of  their  married  life  that  Thackeray  with  his  genial 
camaraderie  joined  them  at  supper  one  night  and 
shared  their  "  twopenny  tarts."  It  was  to  this 
incident  that  he  referred  in  some  doggerel  lines  written 
in  '48  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

"  A  friend  I  had,  and  at  his  side,  the  story  dates  from  seven  long 

year — 

One  day  I  found  a  blushing  bride,  a  tender  lady  kind  and  dear  ! 
They  took  me  in,  they  pitied  me,  they  gave  me  kindly  words 

and  cheer, 
A  kinder  welcome  who  shall  see  than  yours,  O  friend  and  lady 

dear  ?  " 

Mrs.  Brookfield  says  it  was  at  her  uncle's  house  in 
Wilton  Crescent  that  she  received  her  first  introduc- 
tion into  London  society.  Mr.  Hallam  had  a  particular 
fondness  for  his  niece.  He  took  great  pride  in  her 
beauty  and  intelligence,  and  as  soon  as  she  came  to 
live  in  London  it  was  his  habit  to  have  her  present 
at  his  table  whenever  he  had  interesting  or  distinguished 
guests. 

A  page  from  her  diary  in  those  early  days  runs  : 

April  19*A,  1842. 

Read  British  Critic  in  the  evening  till  Mr.  Venables 
and  A.  Tennyson  came  in  to  tea.  The  latter  talked 
with  great  affection  of  the  Hallams.  I  went  to  bed 
early  and  left  William  and  his  friends  discussing 
Urquhartism. 
23rd. 

Walked  to  Lady  Lyttelton's  with  William,  found 

H3 

9— (2309) 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

them  at  home,  and  very  agreeable  and  kind.     I  liked 
them  extremely,  but  had  heard  so  much  about  them 
I  felt  rather  dry. 
26th. 

At  the  Pearsons'.  Bishops  of  London,  Winchester, 
and  Llandaff .  London  sang  in  a  glee-anthem  with  the 
Dean  and  Miss  Pearson.  Mr.  Hope  (afterwards 
Mr.  Hope-Scott)  was  there,  whose  face  is  beautifully 
intellectual.  William  followed  the  Bishop's  example 
in  singing. 
29th. 

Breakfasted  at  the  Hallams'.  Lords  Lansdowne  and 
Mahon  were  there  and  Mrs.  Marcet.  Rogers  and  Lord 
Lyttelton  failed,  so  it  was  not  so  agreeable  as  it  would 
have  been.  Afterwards  to  Hullah's  with  Julia,  met 
the  Queen  returning  from  the  private  view  of  the 
exhibition  to  which  we  all  afterwards  went.  While 
there  the  Duchess  of  Sutherland  talked  to  my  uncle. 
She  is  very  handsome. 
May  1st. 

Lord  Lyttelton  called  and  sat  some  time.  The 
dowager  lady  is  appointed  governess  to  the  Prince 
and  Princess.  In  the  evening  we  all  walked  to  Dod- 
worth's  chapel  (Margaret  Street,  Cavendish  Square). 
Four  clergy  were  at  the  Altar  and  no  clerk.  I  liked 
his  sermon,  though  his  face  is  not  prepossessing  nor 
his  delivery  good. 
29th. 

The  Queen  was  shot  at  to-day  ! 
30th. 

William  dined  at  the  Sterling,  it  was  pleasant  but  not 

114 


THE  QUEEN  AT  THE  OPERA 

overflowingly  mirthful.  Mr.  Smedley  kindly  took  me 
to  the  Opera.  The  Queen  was  there  and  deafeningly 
cheered,  and  "  God  save  the  Queen  "  was  twice  sung 
by  all  the  singers.  Pozzi  acted  in  Elena  da  Feltre  ; 
her  voice  is  very  sweet.  Cerito  in  the  ballet  one  could 
see  drinking  porter  behind  the  scenes,  we  were  so  close 
to  the  stage. 

In  the  spring  of  this  year  Sir  Abraham  Elton  died, 
and  Mr.  Brookneld,  visiting  Clevedon  Court,  now  in 
the  possession  of  Sir  Charles  Elton,  his  wife's  father, 
says  to  her  : 

I  have  just  returned  from  Clevedon,  and  am 
delighted  with  it  beyond  anticipation.  Every  delight- 
fully old-fashioned  room  I  saw.  Every  lovely  bit  of 
home  landskip.  Every  quaint  romantic  terrace,  every 
smooth  shaven  bit  of  delicate  Lady  foot  grass  plot. 
I  placed  you  there  pacing  along  in  perfect  harmony 
with  all  about,  and  thought  how  much  more  natural, 
more  everything-in-it's-right-place  it  would  be  that 
you  should  be  shedding  calm  lustre  on  some  such  home 
than  that  you  should  be  sequestered  in  Duke  Street, 
St.  James',  tied  to  a  half  begotten,  quarter  conceived, 
one-eighth  born,  one-sixteenth  brought  up,  one  thirty- 
second  fortunate,  one  sixty-fourth  deserving,  one  one- 
hundred-and-twenty-eighth  part  of  a  curate,  who  at  best 
is  only  the  one  two-hundred-and-fifty-sixth  part  of  a 
man, — who  is  only  the  one  five-hundred-and-twelfth 
part  of  what  he  might  be — and  only  the  one-thousand- 
and-twenty-fourth  part  of  what  he  thinks  he  is — thus 
I  fitted  thee  to  the  pretty  spots  about  me. 

Correspondence  now  necessarily  ceased  for  a  time 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

to  be  so  elaborate,  but  when  Mrs.  Brookfield  went  in 
the  autumn  on  a  short  visit  to  the  Hallams  at  Tun- 
bridge  Wells,  she  wrote  : 

WELLINGTON  PLACE, 

TUNBRIDGE  WELLS, 

30th  Sept.,  1842. 
My  dearest  William, 

I  suppose  you  hardly  expected  to  hear  from  me 
to-day,  and  that  your  philosophic  mind  has  not  been 
beset  with  any  shadow  of  a  doubt  of  my  "  safe  arrival." 
My  Uncle  looks  very  well  and  is  a  little  awful,  as  usual. 
Riding  is  the  order  of  the  day,  and  to-morrow  I  am 
going  out  (not  in  a  carriage  you'll  be  surprised  to  hear, 
as  I've  used  the  word  riding,  but)  to  sit  on  a  horse 
and  drive  it.  Mrs.  Tighe,  "  the  Queen  of  Tunbridge," 
has  just  paid  me  a  visit,  a  clever  Irish  woman,  and 
a  great  friend  of  Uncle  Hallam's.  She  has  invited  me 
to  join  her  dinner  party  next  Friday.  Harry  Hallam 
goes  to  Cambridge  on  Monday  and  is,  I  believe,  to  be 
under  John  Heath,  of  which  Julia  is  very  sorry,  as 
after  his  conduct  to  M.  T.  of  course  her  opinion  of  him 
is  quite  altered,  but  it  was  settled  he  was  to  be  Harry's 
tutor  long  before  his  fracas  with  the  Tennysons. 
I  told  them  about  Barbadoes*  (with  the  caution  of 
secrecy),  and  Uncle  H.  was  quite  excited,  saying  the 
offer  showed,  at  all  events,  that  you  would  be  offered 
similar  good  things  ere  long — though  he  hoped  not 
abroad. 

The  expression  "  riding  "  was  used  in  reference  to 
one  of  their  friends  who  would  persist  in  saying  "  I  was 
riding  in  a  carriage." 

*  Mr.  Brookfield  had  been  offered  the  Bishopric  of  the  Barbadoes. 


PENSHURST 

October  2nd. 

We  went  a  delightful  ride  yesterday  through  lovely 
scenery  to  see  Penshurst  (Sir  Phillip  Sydney's),  a 
curious  old  house,  but  the  oldest  part  quite  neglected, 
fine  old  Peter  Lely  and  Vandyke  pictures  cracking  and 
smouldering  on  the  walls,  and  all  kinds  of  interlopers 
of  modern  date  thrust  in  among  them.  Mrs.  Tighe 
accompanied  us  in  our  expedition  ;  she  is  a  nice  person 
and  has  anecdotes  of  the  Queen  and  Prince  Albert, 
from  the  best  authorities,  with  which  to  win  my  heart 
(she  is  nearly  connected  with  the  Duke  of  Richmond 
and  many  other  authoritative  people).  I  rode  a  nice 
white  horse  which  cantered  delightfully  and  made  me 
feel  ten  years  younger  at  the  time  (and  a  hundred  years 
older  now,  for  I  am  bruised  almost  all  over).  The 
Hallams  ride  nearly  every  day,  which  will  be  very 
pleasant. 

The  Church  we  went  to  to-day  is  most  disagreeably 
arranged,  there  are  free  sittings,  instead  of  pews,  which 
are  placed  at  random  almost,  so  that  one  is  stared  at 
on  all  sides.  We  heard  such  a  very  very  stupid  sermon 
preached  by  the  Rector,  a  little  red-faced,  regularly 
fubsy  man,  all  fat  and  no  bones,  who  read  an  Essay 
upon  Shadrach,  etc.,  in  the  furnace,  and  said  they  were 
"  certainly  sincere  men  "  !  which  was  a  startlingly 
novel  truth. 

Mrs.  to  Mr.  Brookfield  : 

TUNBRIDGE  WELLS, 

1th  October. 
My  dearest  William, 

There  is  to  be  rather  a  gay  party  at  Mrs.  Tighe's 

117 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

to-night — Signer  Nigri  is  to  sing,  and  people  coming 
after  our  dinner  party.  She  gives  parties  twice  a  week, 
I  believe,  and  has  a  very  pretty  house  and  a  lovely 
garden  where  we  walk  by  her  desire.  The  other  day 
she  praised  me  to  my  Uncle,  and  corrected  Mrs.  Booth 
in  a  belief  that  I  was  only  a  niece  to  a  BARONET,  and 
in  short  demands  my  gratitude  and  admiration  in  a 
signal  manner  !  Mrs.  Booth  declared  she  should  have 
been  quite  shocked  if  she  had  sent  me  out  en  qualite 
de  niece  instead  of  DAUGHTER  to  SIR  CHARLES,  as  she 
is  very  particular  about  etiquette.  I  walked  with 
the  Rices  to-day  in  the  Pantiles,  a  paved  walk  sur- 
rounded with  shops,  where  the  band  plays  twice  a  day, 
and  where  the  elite  of  the  place  are  expected  to  pro- 
menade at  11  o'clock  and  at  3.  I  was  sorry  to  write 
you  such  a  short  letter  yesterday,  but  I  was  so  much 
interrupted  I  could  hardly  write  at  all.  I  pitied  Emily 
Tennyson  in  having  to  introduce  her  husband  to  Uncle 
Hallam — he  was,  however,  very  kind  in  his  shake  hands 
to  him,  and  she  looked  much  pleased  at  our  all  being 
friendly.  Mr.  J.  is  going  to  Caen  for  3  months,  to  learn 
French,  and  leaves  his  wife  behind  him  !  which  seems 
a  funny  plan.  Emily  was  dressed  oddly  and  had 
hair  in  long  ringlets  down  her  back,  which  looked 
singular  and  elf-like,  and  merely  worn  because  she 
fancied  it.  He  wears  spectacles,  has  a  pale  good- 
humoured  face  with  a  large  mouth  and  rather  weak 
eyes,  talks  fast,  and  was  perhaps  a  little  flurried,  as 
yesterday  was  his  first  introduction  to  Uncle  H.,  with- 
out whose,  etc.,  etc. 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield : 

8  Oct.  1842. 

I  don't    wonder    at   the    J 's  being  awkward. 

I  am  glad  you  are  to  have  the  engraving  of  H.  H. 
I  am  pleased  with  your  lively  gratitude  at  perceiving 

118 


THE  SAVING  SENSE  OF  HUMOUR 

that  Garden  and  I  acquit  you  of  being  dull  however 
unconvinced  we  may  remain  of  your  being  other  than 
a  negress — an  atheist  and  a  petto. 

Dear  Jenny — it  is  great  gain  having  such  a  wench 
as  thou  to  jest  with.  How  different  Miss  Lucy,  the 
young  lady  I  have  lately  left,  as  white  as  a  turnip, 
an  orthodox  Christian  and  doubtless  qualified  for  maid 
of  honour  to  Diana — but  alas !  no  glimpse  of  humour, 
thoroughly  amiable  and  all  that,  even  laughs  as 
hard  as  she  can  at  one — but  then  she  laughs  not  at 
one's  wit  but  at  one's  unusualness  merely,  has  no 
insight  into  the  absurdity  with  which  all  things  are  as 
rife  as  foolish  poets  say  they  are  of  beauty.  Well,  I 
shall  see  thee  on  Monday — but  remember  not  till  a 
quarter-past  four  when  there  shall  be  all  sorts  of 
magnificence  awaiting  you. 

Ever  thine,  dearest  Jenny, 

W.  H.  B. 


Mr.  Brookfield  delighted  in  his  wife's  humour,  and 
the  above  refers  to  a  conversation  which  took  place 
between  himself  and  Garden.  When  the  latter  was 
one  day  praising  his  friend's  bride,  Mr.  Brookfield  said  : 
"  Ah  !  I  believe  I  could  have  married  a  humpback  or 
a  black,  but  I  could  not  have  married  a  woman  without 
a  sense  of  humour." 

In  writing  about  how  to  congratulate  Lord  Lyttelton 
on  the  birth  of  a  son  and  heir,  he  says  :  "I  found  this 
pleasant  news  on  my  return  from  the  inmost  bowels 
of  Berkshire  where  I  left  Gyp  in  the  keeping  of  her 
sister  now  a  Curate's  '  Lady  ' — for  the  newspapers 
with  a  laudable  zeal  for  the  celibate  never  allow  us 
clergy  to  have  '  wives.'  ' 

119 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

At  Christmas  Mr.  Thackeray  made  Mrs.  Brookfield 
a  present  of  one  of  his  books — the  first  he  ever  sent 
to  her,  to  which  she  replied  : 

My  dear  Mr.  Thackeray, 

I  must  thank  you  for  your  kindness  in  sending 
your  book,  which  I  have  been  very  much  delighted 
and  amused  with  this  evening.  I  should  like  to 
expatiate  further  upon  it,  but  it  always  appears  absurd 
presumption  in  me  to  do  more  than  express  bare 
admiration  for  any  kind  of  genius,  and  this  sort  of 
reverence  I  am  feeling  to  so  awestruck  a  degree  as 
entirely  to  hinder  the  expression  of  it,  or  of  anything 
else,  and  hence  an  amount  of  stammering  stupidity 
which  you  see  vanity  makes  me  anxious  to  excuse  to 
you — though  in  a  somewhat  rigmarole  way. 

William  was  much  disappointed  not  to  see  you  last 
night ;  he  came  in  only  five  minutes  after  you  left. 
About  New  Year's  Eve  I  think  it  is  best  for  myself, 
at  all  events,  to  decline,  and  William  was  afraid  he 
could  not  manage  it  either,  but  I  don't  think  he  gave 
me  a  definite  message.  Could  you  not  by  possibility 
dine  with  us  in  homely  fashion  on  that  day  ? 

Believe  me,  yours  most  sincerely, 

J.  O.  BROOKFIELD. 

In  February,  '43,  she  writes  in  her  diary  :  "I  went 
to  the  Gurneys'.  William  went  to  a  chop-house  and 
eveninged  with  Thackeray  and  others."  Mr.  Brook- 
field  at  this  time  was  going  walks  with  Thackeray,  for 
walks  in  those  days  were  regular  institutions  ;  and  even 
Mrs.  Brookfield  walked.  We  find  her  meeting  Mr. 
Garden  on  London  Bridge,  who  kept  her  talking  in 
order  to  tell  how  much  the  Spring  Rices  had  admired 

120 


MRS.  SARTORIS  AND  SYDNEY  SMITH 

and  praised  her  to  him,  and  who  also  told  how  "  William 
had  so  much  admiration  expressed  for  him  as  to  be 
quite  a  '  snare  '  to  him."  While  "  William  "  was 
away  on  a  short  visit  she  wrote  : 

Mrs.  to  Mr.  Brookfield  :  Wednesday, 

May,  1843. 
My  dearest  William, 

I  have  been  out  at  the  Hallams'  and  also  paying 
visits  till  I  have  very  little  time  to  write  to  you  left. 
The  Wilton  Crescent  Rout  of  last  night  I  really  liked 
very  much,  tho'  Laura  thought  it  very  dull,  but  there 
were  sundry  notables  there.  Mr.  Spedding  talked 
a  good  deal  with  me  and  he  told  me  his  smoking  party 
on  Monday  was  quite  a  failure,  he  was  dining  out  and 
after  getting  away  early  to  go  home  found  he  had  no 
cigars.  It  was  pouring  with  rain,  but  he  bought 
some  and  then  left  them  behind  him  in  the  cab,  being  so 
busy  paying  the  driver,  and  that  he  quite  forgot  to 
take  out  his  parcel ;  on  which  the  cabman  will  regale 
for  many  a  day  to  come,  I  suppose.  Only  Mr.  Spring 
Rice  braved  the  elements  to  go  to  Spedding' s  ;  he  was 
at  the  Hallams'  and  told  me  the  Henry  Taylors  wish 
to  make  our  acquaintance  and  will  call  when  we  come 
home.  I  shall  like  to  know  them.  I  talked  to  Mrs. 
Sartoris  [Adelaide  Kemble]  a  little  bit,  and  listened  to 
Sydney  Smith  talking  to  her.  Lord  Lansdowne  was 
there  and  the  Romillys  and  Wickhams. 

Mr.  Parr  is  in  Town  and  going  with  us  to  Drury 
Lane  to-night  ;  it  is  the  Keeleys'  benefit,  but  Macready 
acts  in  the  Jealous  Wife.  Mrs.  Sartoris  has  a  fine 
tragic  countenance  and  deep-toned  voice.  Speaking 
of  Alfred  Tennyson,  she  said,  "  I  am  very  fond  of 
Alfred,  he  is  so  simple  and  so  good,"  and  of  Rogers, 
'  We  get  on  very  well,  for  he  only  attacks  clever, 

121 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

talented  people,  and  as  I'm  neither  talented,  nor  clever 
nor  anything  remarkable,  I  get  on  very  well  with  him." 
Of  course  I  made  the  requisite  answer  of  "If  that's 
your  only  safeguard  " — which  was  graciously  received. 
What  a  hideous,  odd-looking  man  Sydney  Smith  is  ! 
with  a  mouth  like  an  oyster,  and  three  double  chins. 
I  did  not  hear  him  say  anything  strikingly  amusing. 

The  Miss  Southebys  talked  to  me  and  asked  after 
you  with  a  sort  of  reverential  interest  (though  I  believe 
they  have  never  seen  or  heard  you  !  )  "  Ah  !  his 
arduous  duties  ! — and,  Ah  !  I  hear  St.  James'  fills  so 
much  more  now  he  is  the  attraction."  Caroline  says 
the  Romillys  told  her  Mr.  Spedding  spoke  so  very 
highly  in  your  praises. 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

40  DUKE  ST.,  ST.  JAMES, 
LONDON, 

27  May,  43. 

I  dined  at  Lyttelton's,  after  a  very  popish  celebra- 
tion at  Oakley's  (the  Rev.  Frederick  Oakley).  Candles 
on  the  altar  lighted  (tho'  staring  day-light)  and  two 
common  oil  lamps  in  the  body  of  the  church  lighted 
also  to  make  believe  that  there  was  any  necessity  for 
it.  Dinner  at  L.'s  pleasant  but  informal  as  before. 

Spencer  and  Caroline  undressed ;  and  all  very 
careless  and  free  and  easy.  They  dressed  afterwards 
to  go  to  Mrs.  W.  E.  Gladstone's,  whither  I  accompanied 
them. 

There  was  a  small  private  amateur  concert.  Lord 
Compton  and  a  Mrs.  Barnes  sang  excellently.  It  was 
a  smartish  assemblage.  People  got  me  introduced  to 
them,  to  wit,  Lord  Robert  Grosvenor,  Miss  Harcourt, 
Mrs.  Milnes  Gaskell — and  who  doth  your  La' ship  think 
— LADY  PEMBROKE.  In  they  came  sailing,  the  fair 
bevy  of  beauties — Lady  Dunmore,  Lady  EMMA  VESEY, 

122 


MR.  SPRING  RICE 

and  LADY  BRRRUCE  !  However  I  did  not  get  speech 
of  the  youngsters,  but  had  a  chat  with  the  Dowager 
who  remembered  me  at  Hagley.  I  left  a  card  on  her 
to-day  and  on  the  Gaskells,  the  male  of  whom  called 
on  me  on  Wednesday  last.  Lady  Bruce  did  not 
look  nearly  so  well  as  formerly — very  thin — and  I 
thought  stern.  She  was  perhaps  jealous  of  her 
Mother.  Also  I  resumed  acquaintance  with  Lady 
Gal  way,  who  is  very  good  natured.  This  morning  I 
had  occasion  to  call  on  Dalton  at  the  Bishop's  about 
a  curate.  Bishop  came  in — he  looked  rather  keen  at 
my  collar  (Oh — la !)  while  he  talked — and  told  me 
that  they  had  that  morning  voted  me  "or  rather 
Mrs.  Brookfield  "  a  key,  which  would  be  sent  us,  of  the 
Square  Gardens.  Thence  to  Lady  Hoare's,  who  made 
me  lunch  ;  Mrs.  Lethbridge's  elder  sister  was  there 
— also  very  pretty  but  not  equal  to  Leth — who,  by 
the  way,  was  not  at  all  affected  to-day. 

They  drove  me  to  leave  the  two  cards  above 
mentioned  and  then  I  left  them.  I  met  Spring  Rice 
yesterday  on  my  way  to  Islington,  who  said  that  he 
should  dress  with  the  less  satisfaction  as  you  were  not 
to  be  there — all  this  time  I  forget  that  I  have  not 
mentioned  that  he  was  going  to  dine  at  the  Hallams' . 

On  returning  home  at  night  I  found  the  following 
invitation — of  course  from  Titmarsh  : 

If  you  like  two  or  three 
Of  your  cronies  to  see 
There's  a  swarry 

To-morry 
At  Mitre  court  B. 

Lord  J.  Manners  gives  me  a  delightful  account  of 
the  neighbourhood  of  the  Pyrenees,  where  he  made 
such  an  excursion  as  I  project — but  I  can  hardly  ven- 
ture upon  it  without  Buner.  I  like  Toby's  honesty 

123 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

about  wet  Sunday  sermons,  though  I  should  un- 
charitably suspect  that  the  difference  between  them 
and  his  dry  Sunday  sermons  might  not  be  considerable. 

The  surprise  of  the  Bishop  was  at  the  fact  that 
Mr.  Brookfield  was  wearing  a  collar  instead  of  a 
"  stock."  It  was  before  the  fashion  of  "  Roman  " 
collars. 

Some  time  in  May  the  Brookfields  breakfasted  with 
Rogers — "  by  note  invitation,"  Mrs.  Gladstone  having 
named  the  breakfast  party  by  Rogers'  request. 
Mrs.  Brookfield  says  most  people  gave  "  breakfasts  " 
in  those  days,  Milnes,  Kinglake,  everybody, — but 
Rogers'  were  the  best.  His  stories  were  invariably 
lengthy  and  did  not  always  possess  a  point  though  they 
did  generally  contain  a  moral ;  but  his  histrionic  skill 
was  so  great  that  nobody  perceived  this  want — his 
keen  and  vivacious  manner  kept  everybody  always 
intently  interested  until  the  last  word  had  been  spoken. 

Mrs.  to  Mr.  Brookfield  : 

FOREST  LODGE, 

3lst  May,  1843. 

I  cannot  think  the  lady  would  dare  cut  you,  even 
if  you  had  given  her  any  cause  (unless  you  were  in 
Shorts  ?)  I  am  amused  at  Titmarsh's  invitation. 
I  am  sorry  you  have  had  another  smoking  bout, 
you  are  not  a  very  good  patient  and  I  don't  think  you 
give  Wm.  Bullar  a  chance  of  doing  you  good,  if  you 
disobey  and  preach  3  times  too — however,  of  course 
it  is  very  difficult  to  avoid  the  latter,  but  I  should 
have  thought  Spedding  resistable  considering  how 
unwell  you  are.  Don't  ever  again  play  any  pranks 
in  your  directions  to  me,  at  least  while  I  am  here,  the 

124 


"  MR.  BROOKFIELD'S  WIT  ' 

reason  being  that  I  was  kept  full  five  minutes  waiting 
for  my  letter  in  consequence,  George  saying  "  Jane, — 
I  -  found-a- letter  -  in  -  the  -  letter  -  bag  -  to-day- which 
I  -  intend  -  returning  -  to  the  post  -  office  -  to  -  be  -  stuck- 
up-at-the-Dead-Letter-Office."  "  Oh  !  I  dare  say  it's 
for  me,  pray  give  it  me."  — "  Do  you-know-any-body 
of-the-name-of-Bruce-Leth-Brookfield  ?  /  don't,  and 
so  I  intend  to  return  the  letter  to  the  post  office, 
ha,  ha,  ha  !  "  Highly  facetious  but  an  intense  bore. 
It  was  only  by  being  rather  testy  that  I  got  the  letter, 
and  it  is  bad  enough  at  any  time  to  depend  on  his 
pleasure  as  to  when  he  opens  the  Bag  and  when  he 
dispenses  the  letters,  so  Beware  of  "  Mr.  Brookfield's 
wit  "  whenever  you  write  to  me  here.  Mr.  Wadding- 
ton  is  arrived,  but  his  wife  had  a  cold  and  could  not 
come  ;  he  is  a  fat,  dumpy  little  man,  with  a  thick 
Newmarket  Guttural  voice,  and  very  stiff  high  neck- 
cloth, all  starch — but  he  seems  the  essence  of  good- 
nature, very  talkative  and  anecdotic,  with  sometimes 
quite  a  dash  of  humour.  Mr.  Buck  is  coming  to-day  ; 
he  is  a  man  who  "  Sits  down  every  day  to  a  dinner 
dressed  by  a  first-rate  man  cook,  but  if  he  can't  put  up 
with  what  we  can  give  him,  I  should  never  wish  to  see 
him  at  my  table.  Maria,  I  hope  there'll  be  a  good  dish 
of  boiling  fish — both  Buck  and  Waddington  prefer 
Boiled  Fish."  I  could  hardly  forbear  bursting  forth 
to  Maria  Pilgrim  with  "  How  well  you  are  looking," 
only  I  thought  'twould  be  assuming  how  bad  she  had 
been  looking  before  her  face  was  cured.  Maria 
Robbins  told  me  she  had  always  felt  so  extremely 
grateful  to  you  for  a  little  thing  you  once  said.  Laura 
was  speaking  of  poor  Mrs.  D.,  and  said  she  did  not 
admire  her,  or  think  her  handsome,  "  why  she  has  such 
a  red  nose !  "  "  Well  (you  answered),  surely  that  is 
not  fatal  to  beauty — it  does  not  make  her  features 
less  pretty  " — (or  words  to  that  effect),  and  Maria 

125 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

said  she  really  longed  to  thank  you.  Well,  I  think 
I  shall  be  interrupted  if  I  don't  "  make  end  "  at  once, 
so  I  bid  thee  adieu. 

Mrs.  to  Mr.  Brookfield  : 

NEIGHBOURHOOD  OF  SOUTHAMPTON, 

2nd  June,  1843. 

Caroline  sent  Maria  a  "  very  fashionable " 
"  Nemours"  head-dress  (not  Dowagery)  the  other  day, 
and  I  have  been  ingeniously  making  up  an  imitation 
of  the  same  for  myself,  as  I  had  some  lace  by  me  that 
answered  the  purpose.  Buck  (what  a  name  !  )  seemed 
much  entertained  at  my  millinery — it  was  quite  a  good 
joke  for  him  ;  he  is  very  good-natured,  and  not  so 
fond  of  boiled  fish  as  I  had  expected.  It  seems  his 
wife  !  (how  truly  and  disgustingly  atrocious)  is  the 
gourmande  and  keeps  "  Her  man  cook,"  etc.  Maria 
tells  me  she  scrapes  her  little  pat  of  butter  all  over 
every  morning  before  she  will  eat  it,  although  'tis 
made  fresh  every  day,  by  a  scrupulously  clean  dairy 
woman,  and  if  anything  she  is  eating  happened  to 
touch  the  edge  of  her  plate,  she  would  not  eat  it  for 
worlds,  because  the  footman's  thumb  might  have  been 
there  before — and  she  offended  Col.  Robinson  ex- 
tremely, by  refusing  to  allow  him  to  cut  her  some 
bread,  merely  because  she  would  then  have  to  fear  his 
hand  might  touch  what  she  was  given  to  eat !  added 
to  all  this  she  dines  daily  on  side  dishes,  and  all  the  most 
pamperingly  -  fastidious  -  ratifee  -  marmalade  -  puddings 
that  can  be  concocted.  Very  loathsome,  and  un- 
worthy "  my  pen  "  or  your  eyes.  Beware  of  ever 
repeating  or  alluding  to  any  anecdotes  I  may  tell  you 
— people  like  well  enough  to  abuse  their  own  relations, 
but  I  don't  think  they  at  all  fancy  other  people's  doing 
the  same,  or  betraying  their  own  pet  stories  against 
their  relations  to  the  rest  of  the  community. 

126 


GEORGE  ROBBINS 

George  Robbins  is  not  at  all  otherwise  than 
impressed  with  an  idea  that  you  are  "  Stark, 
staring  Mad,"  since  your  directions  to  me.  To-day 
he  begged  I  would  present  his  "  very  respectful  compli- 
ments and  tell  you  that  he  thought  you  must  really 
be  a  Booby  instead  of  the  man  of  sense  he  had  taken 
you  to  be  " — and  after  this  speech  (which,  of  course,  he 
did  not  intend  me  to  give  you  as  a  message")  I  was 
allowed  to  have  my  letter,  on  the  direction  of  which 
he  has  harped  all  day,  "  Mistress  Brookfield  ! — well ! 
I  never  really  did  hear  anything  so  absurd" — "Care 
of  Capt.  Robbins  !  !  "  In  short  "  He  (George  Robbins) 
"  He  harps  but  on  one  lonely  string,"  and  "  Thou 
(W.  H.  B.)  hast  many  a  one."  Don't  goad  me  on  to 
madness  by  telling  me  "  the  Men "  at  Spedding's 
enquired  after  me  !  !  !  !  ! — must  not  "  the  men  "  have 

included  ?     And  am  I  not  already  sufficiently 

au  desespoir  at  that  name  ?  I  don't  think  I've  any- 
thing to  tell  you,  you  old  Machiavel  Circumventor 
(with  Orthodox  to  one  "  friend  "  and  Pusey  to  the 
other).  But  I  thank  you  for  your  very  nice  entertain- 
ing letter  of  to-day,  which  I  have  read  5  times  over  and 
shall  probably  read  5  times  again. 


Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

40  DUKE  ST.,  ST.  JAMES, 
LONDON, 

3rd  June,  43. 
Dearest  Jane, 

You  will  sympathise  with  me,  I  know,  upon  the 
ruthless  stifling  of  a  few  years'  passion — the  withering 
of  hopes  that  in  that  time  however  hopeless  yet  were 
never  utterly  unhopeful — the  vanishing  of  visions — 
the  dissipation  of  dreams — the  wreck  of  sweet  illu- 
sions   You  have  heard  me  speak  (I  think) 

127 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

of  Lady  B.  I  thought  when  first  I  saw  and  spoke  to 
her  in  the  bloom  of  mutual  youth  ten  years  ago  that 
creation  had  no  fairer  offspring 

Last  Thursday  night  I  was  at  Dowager  Lady 
Lyttelton's.  In  the  course  of  the  evening  Caroline  L. 
said  to  me  laughing  (not  ignorant  of  the  condition  of 
my  heart),  "  Lady  B.  says  she  cannot  catch  your  eye, 
and  that  you  have  forgotten  her."  This,  of  course, 
led  to  re-introduction — but  the  voice  had  lost  its  maiden 
melody  and  had  become  rather  loud  and  prompt. 
The  Bloom  had  left  the  cheek  and  brow,  and  fawn 
freckles  crowded  both  like  buttercups  in  a  meadow. 
The  features  had  become  sharp  and  thin — and  all  the 
fond  fancies  that  had  crowded  round  my  heart  at 
mention  of  her  name  began  to  take  flight,  and  .... 

Finis  !  .  .  . 

After  all  I  do  her  injustice — she  is  very  pretty — 
but  best  in  bonnet  and  at  slight  distance — but  I  feel 
that  something  is  gone  from  her  in  my  mind  since  the 
above.  It  was  a  pretty  enough  assemblage.  It  was 
the  Dowager's  party.  She  was  very  gracious,  enquired 
after  you.  I  had  talk  with  Lady  Clinton,  Mrs.  Spencer, 
Bruce,  John  Manners,  Copley  Fielding,  Archdeacon 
Wilberforce,  Miss  Harcourt,  etc.,  so  that  it  was  not 
dull.  Caroline  borrowed  last  Sunday's  sermon — (your 
favourite  "  Arise,"  etc.)  Spencer  was  nattering  about 
it,  and  Mrs.  Spencer  (separately  from  them)  hoped  it 
would  be  printed  but  was  afraid  I  did  not  write  out 
my  sermons  so  that  anybody  could  read  them,  inti- 
mating that  she  would  fain  borrow  it.  I  had  pre- 
viously been  to  the  Bishop  for  an  hour.  There  were 
"  Gloucester  and  Bristol " — "  Edinburgh  " — Manning — 
Wilberforce — Dukenfield,  and  two  or  three  more. 
Yesterday  I  dined  alone.  Just  after  dinner  a  person 
came  with  a  begging  letter  not  knowing  that  I  was  the 
same  person  to  whom  he  had  applied  in  the  Vestry 

128 


ST.  LUKE'S,  BERWICK  STREET 

two  days  before  to  proselytize  him  from  his  born 
Romish  faith  to  the  Protestant — which  I  soon  per- 
ceived to  be  sheer  humbug — so  I  went  downstairs 
(thinking  from  the  letter  it  was  the  same  person),  and 
saying  that  if  he  would  follow  me  I  would  see  what 
I  could  do  for  him.  I — like  a  good  Samaritan  as  I 
am,  and  like  Charles  Surface  when  "  justice  and 
generosity  are  running  a  race  in  my  heart — I  cannot 
help  it,  but  damme !  generosity  always  gets  ahead  " 
I,  I  say,  like  C.  S.  and  the  Samaritan,  con- 
ducted him  to  the  Police  office — but  what  is  to  be  done 
with  him  I  don't  know. 

I  quite  forgot  that  your  friend's  name  was  Buck — 
and  my  small  wit  about  Back  was  fatuous. 

Ever  thine, 

W.  H.  B. 


In  July  this  year  Mr.  Brookfield  received  his  licence 
for  St.  Luke's,  Berwick  Street  (a  dependence  of 
St.  James'),  which  ministry  he  seems  to  have  maintained 
alongside  with  his  preachership  at  Tenison's,  etc., 
and  a  little  later  he  is  found  to  be  preaching  in  a 
"  surplice,"  which  practice,  however,  he  was  very  soon 
persuaded  to  give  up. 


Lord  Lyttelton  to  Mr.  Brookfield  : 

HAGLEY, 

5  Sept.,  43. 
Loved  Incumbent, 

Write  !  Let  me  know  how  you  are,  how  you  have 
been,  how  you  are  to  be,  when  you  are  to  be,  and  all 
other  tenses,  moods,  voices,  and  parts  of  speech  relating 
to  your  existence. 

129 

10— (2309) 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

I  hope  you  have  heard  from  the  lady  dowager 
(between  whom  and  the  Queen  Dowager  now  in  Worces- 
tershire there  is  an  inextricable  confusion  in  the  minds 
of  the  sons  of  the  soil)  that  you  are  to  exact  marriage 
in  London  between  my  sister  and  my  brother-in-law, 
an  event  which  gives  us  much  satisfaction. 

We  shall  be  up  in  town  for  it,  and  no  doubt  some 
suburb  will  again  be  illuminated  by  one  of  those  not 
unremarkable  dialogico-gastro-peripatetical  visits  of 
the  Priest  and  the  Peer,  of  which  some  are  already 
on  the  page  of  universal  History. 

We  are  all  well  and  hope  Mrs.  Brookfield  is  no  less. 

Yours  ever, 

LYTTELTON. 


These  walks  were  not  the  only  practices  that  the 
"  Priest  and  the  Peer  "  had  in  common.  Mr.  Brook- 
field,  in  the  discharge  of  his  clerical  duties  was  punc- 
tilious as  well  as  enthusiastic.  He  possessed  a  genius 
for  persuading  adults  who  had  not  received  Baptism 
to  seek  that  Sacrament ;  the  number  of  infant  Bap- 
tisms also  increased  greatly  under  his  influence.  A 
letter  of  his  to  a  well-known  lady  urging  her  to 
have  her  children  baptised  is  a  model  of  kindness 
and  discretion.  In  getting  together  candidates  for 
baptism  he  was  aided  by  Lord  Lyttelton,  who  though 
still  young,  was,  in  spite  of  the  lightness  of  his  letters, 
of  a  pious  and  serious  disposition,  always  assisting 
Mr.  Brookfield  in  parish  work  whenever  he  was  near 
to  him  and  giving  help  and  advice  in  especial  cases 
when  away. 

Mr.  Brookfield  has  said  how  glad  he  was  to  learn 

130 


George,  fourth  Lord  Lyttelton 

From  a  crayon  drawing 
by  George  Richmond,  R.A. 


are  to 

!  »1    1 

t      i 

w*  *..  •  1      .1 L  *    <*j 

,a&tro-pteiipat< 

on  ; 

skiieid  is  i: 
Yours  ever, 

LYTTELTON. 


for 


>ting 


)  learn 


'.-<!)    wnv:i,Hl    i, 
.K.ft  .hnom-A-js'A    J^M,?*      \ 


LORD  JOHN  MANNERS 

from  Mrs.  Carlyle  that  his  sermons  had  a  real  influence 
on  many  young  men  of  name  and  position,  who  would 
not  listen  to  other  preachers,  but  it  gave  him  a  greater 
pleasure  to  find  earnest  young  men  of  this  very  class, 
able  and  eager  to  give  him  practical  assistance  in  his 
labours  when  occasion  offered.  The  hard  winter  of 
'43  overwhelmed  him  with  work,  and  the  sufferings 
of  the  poor  wrung  his  heart,  but  the  unobtrusive 
assistance  and  encouragement  given  by  his  two  young 
friends,  Lord  Lyttelton  and  Lord  John  Manners, 
lightened  his  days,  and  in  a  large  degree  made  the 
outlook  more  hopeful.  It  is  pleasant  to  note  the 
steady  philanthropic  interest  these  young  men  took 
in  current  events.  Lord  John  Manners  wrote  to  him 
as  follows  : 


WOOLLEY  PARK, 
BROSELEY, 

23rd  Oct.,   1843. 
My  dear  Brookfield, 

I  have  heard  nothing  of  you  since  your  return 
from  foreign  parts,  save  the  fact  duly  recorded  in  the 
Morning  Post  of  your  having  married  the  H.  Glynns. 
Let  me  hear  how  the  tour  succeeded,  and  how  you  are 
in  health. 

While  I  remember  it,  let  me  ask  if  they  continue 
sending  the  loaves  to  the  vestry  ?  If  they  don't  will 
you  go  to  the  shop  (the  corner  of  Bond  Street  and 
Piccadilly)  and  tell  them  that  you  are  commissioned 
by  the  gentleman  (they  don't  know  me)  to  tell  them 
to  continue  sending  them,  and  that  when  I  return  to 
London  I  will  pay  them.  Is  any  project  on  foot  for 
relieving  the  poor  in  London  ?  I  like  the  line  or  rather 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

tone  adopted  by  the  Times  in  pointing  out  the  Church 
as  the  proper  almsgiver,  and  have  been  thinking  that 
an  appeal  in  favour  of  a  distinct  confraternity,  written 
by  a  clergyman  acting  in  London,  would  be  good 
weight  just  now  ;  why  should  not  you  undertake  it  ? 
Is  the  thing  altogether  impracticable  ;  the  spirit  seems 
alive  and  ready  ;  if  so — a  house,  a  dress,  a  rule  alone 
are  to  be  supplied. 

Read  Wiseman's  letter  on  Catholic  Unity  sub 
finem.  Pray  turn  this  over  in  your  thoughts ;  St. 
James'  of  all  the  London  parishes  would  be  the  easiest 
to  begin  with,  if  the  Bishop  and  Rector  would  sanction 
it,  funds  might,  I  am  sure,  be  raised  without  any 
difficulty.  I  believe  Miss  Coutts  can  be  reckoned 
on  as  willing  to  promote  it ;  and  if  it  was  once  made 
known  publicly  that  such  a  plan  was  in  active  contem- 
plation, no  doubt  the  numbers  of  people  who  all  over 
the  country  are  wishing  for  the  establishment  of  some 
sort  of  Monastic  houses  would  willingly  subscribe  to 
make  so  favourable  a  beginning.  At  any  rate  let  me 
know  what  you  think  about  it ;  the  more  I  think  the 
subject  over  the  more  do  I  feel  convinced  that  if  the 
Church  of  England  is  really  to  do  anything  among 
the  poor  masses  She  must  go  out  of  her  present 
parochial  system.  This  will  be  my  direction  for  a 
week  more,  With  my  kind  regards  to  Mrs.  Brookfield, 
I  am, 

Dear  B.,  affectly  yours, 

JOHN  MANNERS. 

P.S. — In  case  my  friend  the  baker  should  be 
obdurate  I  send  a  cheque  for  £5,  of  which  spend  part 
in  defraying  the  cost  of  the  dole,  the  rest  in  what 
charitable  waj'  you  think  best. 


132 


THE  SOUTHEY  SCHEME 

Lord  John  Manners  to  Mr.  Brookfield  : 

BELVOIR  CASTLE, 

30th  December,  1843. 
MY  dear  Brookfield, 

At  last  my  Southey  scheme  has  marched  a  step. 
The  Bishop  of  London  conditionally  sanctions  it,  and 
I'm  now  preparing  for  a  declaration  in  the  papers  ; 
drawing  out  a  committee  and  so  on  ;  I  am  ashamed, 
knowing  your  multitudinous  businesses,  to  ask  you 
to  take  any  part  in  it,  but  a  recollection  of  your  services 
on  a  former  occasion  makes  me  wish  to  see  you  on  said 
committee  ;  either  as  plain  committee-man,  or  better 
still  secretary  or  treasurer,  if  you  would  be  one  I'd  be 
the  other. 

I  don't  want  the  committee  to  be  large,  but  a  select 
working  one,  and  at  present  propose  Lyttelton,  Sir  J. 
Hanmer,  Dicky  Milnes,  Mr.  Watts  Russell,  you  and  I 
as  its  constituent  parts. 

The  constitution  of  the  Order  is  briefly  this  :  the 
Sisters  are  to  be  Churchwomen,  but  to  relieve  all 
distressed  creatures  indiscriminately,  they  are  not  to 
be  bound  by  vows,  but  during  their  Sistership  to  obey 
all  the  rules  of  the  House,  and  their  Superior  is  to  be 
appointed  by  the  Bishop,  and  the  parish  priest  is  to 
supervise  the  establishment,  the  Bishop  being  the 
visitor  and  all  other  rules  will  be  referred  to  him  before 
they  are  adopted. 

Now,  ye  anti-popery  varlets,  come  on  ! 

Something  like  £300  is  already  promised,  and  once 
get  the  vessel  under  sail  and  she'll  make  the  port,  I'll 
be  bound.  Will  Mr.  Ward  come  in  ?  Mr.  Page,  of 
Woodpit,  has  written  a  most  encouraging  letter,  and 
most  people  seem  to  admit  the  idea  readily.  I  am  so 
taken  up  with  this,  having  at  present  all  the  work 
on  my  own  shoulders,  that  I  can  hardly  think  of 
anything  else.  But  I  must  wish  you  all  the  hearty 

133 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

compliments  of  the  season,    and  a   prosperous  and 
healthful  new  year. 

In  haste  I  rest 

Your  assured  friend, 

JOHN  MANNERS. 

Mrs.  Brookfield  at  this  time  did  her  part  in  making 
clothes  and  soups  for  the  poor  ;  but  her  husband  never 
encouraged  her  in  regular  district  visiting.  She  also 
made  his  "  bands  "  for  him,  copied  out  his  sermons 
in  her  bold  fine  handwriting,  and  translated  others 
written  by  the  most  celebrated  preachers  of  Europe. 

Few  of  Mr.  Brookfield's  many  talents  were  unem- 
ployed at  this  busy  period  of  his  life.  It  is  no  uncom- 
mon thing  to  find  him,  at  the  end  of  a  very  full  day, 
engaged  in  looking  over  the  speeches  of  friends  or  in 
drafting  and  writing  out  letters  for  them.  In  '43, 
with  a  view  to  the  improvement  of  congregational 
singing,  he  compiled  and  produced  a  Book  of 
Chaunts  metrically  divided.  It  was  probably  upon 
the  strength  of  this  that  he  was  invited  to  examine 
schools  in  singing  and  to  rehearse  choirs.  He  writes 
thus  to  his  wife  on  this  subject  from  Marlborough  Col- 
lege : 

COLLEGE, 

MARLBORO', 

3  May,  1844. 
My  dear  Jane, 

At  twelve  I  had  the  boys  into  Church  and  found 
that  they  had  really  nothing  to  learn,  they  did  the 
chanting  so  well.  I  shall  hear  them  again  this  evening 
with  the  organist.  I  dined  in  Hall,  almost  as  at 

134 


DINING  IN  HALL 

Cambridge,  a  dinner  being  provided  for  the  Masters 
at  a  table  separate  from  and  placed  a  foot  higher  than 
those  at  which  the  youngsters  dine  at  one  (when  the 
Masters  lunch).  Dinner  over,  we  adjourned  as  at 
Cambridge  to  the  combination  room,  i.e.,  the  room 
where  M.A.'s  combine  to  drink  wine,  crack  Barcelonas, 
and  talk  reason  seasoned  with  salt  wit,  while  at  the 
meagre  nursery  for  sickly  minds  in  Oxfordshire  they 
are  sitting  in  what  their  dialect  calls  a  common  room 
sucking  stewed  prunes  and  mumbling  indistinct  eruc- 
tations of  crazy  superstition.  The  Masters  are  six 
university  men,  including  the  Apostle  of  Intemperance. 
All  of  like  age  and  very  kind  gentlemanly  fellows,  and 
you  may  rely  upon  it  I  was  not  long  in  finding  my 
chair  an  easy  one.  When  we  had  made  facts  stand 
out  in  sufficiently  bold  relief  the  etiquette  was  to  go 
and  hear  Wilson  whom  they  had  got  down  to  sing 
Scottish  songs  in  the  Town  Hall.  At  ten  thirty 
adjourned  to  combination  where  a  slight  supper  was 
furnished  for  Wilson  (who,  however,  sang  no  more), 
and  we  had  a  very  chatty  Cambridge  sort  of  party. 
We  broke  up  soon  after  twelve.  I  was  temperate  as 
a  Nun,  one  glass  of  wine,  and  one  of  mountain  dew  in 
compliment  to  Wilson,  but  a  headache  this  morning 
gave  Oxford  a  momentary  advantage  in  the  perpetually 
recurring  comparison. 


To  which  his  wife  replied  from  Clevedon  Court : 

I  am  glad  you  have  been  so  gay  (as  people  provoke 
one  with  saying  if  one  has  dined  or  tea'd  otherwise 
than  at  home),  and  I  am  gladder  that  the  Marlboro' 
boys  do  justice  to  the  sweat  of  your  brow. 

I  don't  know  whether  you  have  grown  more 
intensely  superior  and  intellectual  or  I  more  over- 
poweringly  dull  and  silly,  but  I  can't  divest  myself 

135 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

of  the  fear  of  your  thinking  half  I  say  of  no  value  for 
your  reading  or  hearing. 

She  then  proceeds  at  length  to  tell  him  her  friends' 
opinions  upon  the  religious  questions  of  the  hour. 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

23  GT.  PULTENEY  ST., 
LONDON, 

13  May,  44. 
My  dear  Jane, 

I  must  say  that  the  perfectly  undisputed  way  in 
which  your  Oxford  friends  have  been  allowed  to  lay 
down  as  a  ruled  point  that  "  Reverence  "  is  a  virtue 
without  subjecting  it  to  the  same  rules  of  limitation 
and  proportion  as  other  propensities  (for  it  is  no  more) 
is  not  a  little  careless  on  the  part  of  my  friends.  Bene- 
volence is  a  virtue,  but  not  the  benevolence  which  gives 
to  a  canting  impostor  what  is  due  to  the  Butcher  and 
Baker.  Courage  is  a  virtue  but  not  that  which  rushes 
like  a  vain  ostentatious  Irishman,  "  Whurra  ah  !  then 
now  !  pilliloo  !  arrah  !  thunder  and  turf  !  aghrah !  " 
into  the  thick  of  an  unnecessary  row  ;  and  Reverence 
is  a  virtue,  but  not  that  reverence  which  refuses  to 
ask  any  question  connected  with  religion,  dares  not 
dispute  "  My  Mother  told  me,"  and  believes  every- 
thing that  was  said  "  by  them  of  old  time."  I  met  in 
an  excellent  sermon  by  a  writer  of  little  name  the  other 
day  upon  the  text  "  Temperate  in  all  things,"  that 
"intemperate  courage,  or  courage  in  excess,  is  temerity ; 
caution  in  excess  is  cowardice,  belief  in  excess  is  cre- 
dulity, firmness  in  excess  is  obstinacy,  and  reverence 
in  excess  is  superstition."  To  recognise  the  presence 
and  the  hand  of  the  Deity,  to  look  carefully  for  a  moral 
and  spiritual  truth  and  lesson,  and  to  treat  the  subject 
tenderly  and  gravely  seems  to  me  the  way  in  which 

136 


PALMERSTON  AND  DICKENS 

Reverence  would  deal  with  the  Angel  question  in 
either  case  you  mention.  To  insist  on  or  rather  to 
require  others  to  believe  in  the  material  angel  seems  to 
me  superstition,  obstinately  to  deny  angelic  interven- 
tion of  any  kind  seems  to  me  something  quite  as  foolish, 
and  the  question  whether  there  was  or  was  not  an 
intermediate  agency  purely  indifferent  provided  you 
recognise  the  agency. 

Good  gracious  !  three  sides  about  this.  Saturday 
at  six  to  the  Artists'  Dinner.  I  have  been  at  as  bad 
but  never  so  stupidly  placed,  between  a  twaddling 
benevolent,  self-satisfied  old  Cheeryble,  and  a  pilling 
Surgeon.  Lord  Palmerston's  speeches  were  amusing 
to  me  as  exhibiting  how  a  Public  Man,  thoro'ly  accus- 
tomed to  speak,  and  not  caring  the  shadow  of  a  fraction 
of  a  hang  whether  he  succeeded  or  not,  would  handle 
such  flimsy  topics.  He  did  not  excel,  however,  nor 
anybody  else.  Dickens  spoke,  shortly  and  well  enough, 
but  it  had  a  very  cut  and  dried  air,  and  rather  pompous 
and  shapely  in  its  construction  and  delivered  in  a 
rather  sonorous  deep  voice.  Not  a  jot  of  humour  in 
it.  He  looks  like  Milnes,  same  height  and  shape,  still 
longer  hair,  but  not  his  demoniacal  good  humour 
of  expression.  I  was  totally  ignored,  no  Church,  no 
Chaplain,  no  personal  ME  was  drunk,  while  the  medical 
officers  were  proposed,  and  indeed  everybody  else. 

This  was  a  decided  blunder  of  theirs.  Altogether 
the  dinner  was  much  like  other  such — no  better  and 
could  not  be  worse. 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

23  GT.  PULTENEY  ST.,  GOLDEN  SQ., 
LONDON, 

15  May,  1844. 
My  dear  Jane, 

The  evening  of  the  last  day  I  wrote  to  you  I  dined 

137 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

alone  here  and  afterwards  picked  up  Monteith,  Vena- 
bles,  Lushington,  and  Chapman,  at  Oxford  and  Cam- 
bridge Club.  Monteith  took  us  to  Pent  on' s  Hotel, 
where  we  had  a  very  pleasant  evening. 

I  have  no  intention  to  dine  at  the  Artist  Malevolent 
again.  I  was  introduced  to  Lord  Palmerston  and 
chatted  with  him  a  few  minutes,  but  was  not  near  him 
at  table. 

The  cruellest  blow  of  all  was,  not  being  ranked 
below  a  very  modest  and  sensible  apothecary  as  I  was, 
but  being  made  inferior  to  Sir  William  Ross,  portrait 
painter,  a  man  who  is  not  "  Rather  an  ass  "  (Hallam). 
There  the  owl  sate  opposite  to  me  on  the  superior  side 
of  the  table  grinning  sweetly  and  patronizingly,  when 
I  opened  my  lips,  with  a  dreadfully  mechanical  face. 
However  I  had  a  few  moments  of  unmixed  extatic 
bliss.  Lord  Palmerston,  in  proposing  the  Royal 
Academy,  blundered  into  a  most  unfortunate  congra- 
tulation of  the  world  at  large  that  every  Exhibition 
showed  fewer  portraits  and  more  of  the  higher  and 
more  imaginative  and  essentially  artistic  works  of  art. 
He  began  to  find  out  his  mistake  (as  nine-tenths  of  the 
people  present  were  sign  painters  and  takers  of  profiles 
"  in  this  style  "),  and  to  flounder  out  but  not  till  I  had 
enjoyed  the  gathering  frown  on  the  Knight's  brow. 
He  was  also  good  when  Palmerston  was  paying  Stans- 
feld  a  very  well  deserved  compliment  on  a  sea  piece 
(one  of  the  best  I  ever  saw),  and  facetiously  proposed 
that  if  we  felt  no  qualms  after  contemplating  that 
most  lively  representation  of  a  very  uncomfortable 
sight  (a  rough  sea)  we  should  couple  his  name  with  the 
Royal  Academy.  The  joke  was  bad  enough,  but  also 
good  enough  for  after  dinner,  and  everybody  laughed 
except  the  Knight,  who  only  sneeringly  remarked 
"  His  lordship  is  rather  badly  off  for  a  joke  this  after- 
noon !  !  ! 

138 


"  JACK  STRAW'S  CASTLE  " 

How  I  am  prating  away,  meantime  the  hours  glide 
on  with  eternity  at  their  back,  and  the  post  will  close 
in  five  minutes. 

Farewell.     Kind  love  to  all.     Ever 
Yours  most  affectionately, 

W.  H.  BROOKFIELD. 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

23  GT.  PULTENEY  ST.,  GOLDEN  SQUARE, 

22  May,  1844. 
My  dear  Jane, 

I  went  yesterday  with  Lyttelton  to  the  Zoological 
Gardens,  where  we  staid  near  three  hours,  thence  to 
Hampstead,  I  wishing  to  call  on  the  Greys.  We  dined 
together  very  comfortably  at  the  Inn  "  Jack  Straw's 
Castle,"  where  we  dined  once  before,  stewed  eels, 
beefsteak,  sparrow  grass,  potatoes,  cheeses,  salad, 
beer,  and  "  a  comfortable  glass,"  five  shillings  each. 

It  may  be  presumed  we  sate  down  with  misgiving 
sensations.  But  it  was  exceedingly  agreeable.  A 
Cambridge  Puseyite  against  an  Oxford  any  day. 
I  ventured  to  hint  that  a  Communion  might  be  valid 
and  beneficial  tho'  there  were  no  credence  table,  he 
did  not  grow  red  in  the  face  at  my  daring  profanity  ; 
and  I  wondered  reverentially  whether  in  all  Archdeacon 
Manning's  parsonage  there  was  such  a  thing  as  a  look- 
ing glass.  He  did  not  call  down  fire  from  heaven  upon 
the  blasphemy  that  assumed  the  possibility  of  the 
Archdeacon's  consciousness  of  having  a  cravat  or  apron 
or  silk  stockings.  He  told  me  what  we  both  laughed 
at  violently.  The  Duke  of  Saxe  Coburg  (Prince 
Albert's  brother)  asked  the  dowager  (Lady  Lyttelton) 
at  Court  one  day  with  very  rapid  utterance,  "  Did  you 
read  'Lost  Paradise'  ?  "  for  "  Have  you  read  '  Para- 
dise Lost '  ?  " 

Oh,  I  forgot  to  tell  you  Maitland,  the  Archbishop's 

139 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

chaplain  and  librarian,  said  to  Lyttelton  about  Man- 
ning, that  he  observed  somehow  or  the  other  all  these 
fellows  are  "  such  excessive  dandies,"  "  Manning,  for 
instance,  was  here  an  hour  ago  just  out  of  a  band  box." 
I  do  not  know  whether  I  shall  go  to  Mrs.  Procter's 
or  not ;  very  likely  if  my  cough  is  tolerable,  tho' 
I  have  not  much  curiosity  ;  and  of  course  it  is  only 
curiosity  that  would  take  one.  Last  Sunday  at 
St.  Luke's  "  we  observed  "  (Morning  Post)  the  pretty 
girls,  the  swells,  the  thoughtful  girl,  the  everlastings, 
the  genteel  girl,  the  Huffee  (who  has  never  been  to 
Communion  since  I  made  her  take  her  glove  off),  the 
Wynn,  the  incomprehensible,  and  numerous  other 
upper  crust  parties. 

Ever  most  affectionately  yours, 

W.  H.  B. 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

23  GT.  PULTENEY  ST.,  GOLDEN  SQ., 
LONDON, 

10  June,  1844. 
My  dear  Jane, 

This  is  sad  work.  I  shall  be  very  anxious  to  hear 
from  you  day  by  day  till  you  come. 

I  preached  at  St.  Luke's  a.m.  Dean  helped,  and 
the  greatest  loss  by  far  which  your  illness  entails  upon 
you  is  that  of  not  having  been  present  on  this  occasion. 
The  donkey  in  entering  the  desk  got  his  robes  somehow 
or  other  caught  in  the  door.  This  he  did  not  discover 
till  he  had  begun  reading,  when  he  had  not  presence 
of  mind  to  disentangle  them,  but  proceeded  as  follows, 
I  being  below  at  the  Altar. 

"  Dearly  beloved  brethren,  (Mr.  Brookfield,  sotto 
voce).  The  Scripture  moveth  us  (Mr.  Brookfield ! 
(louder) )  in  sundry  places  (Mr.  Brookfield  !  !)."  I 
looked  round  and  perceived  him  literally  with  a  face 

140 


A  DILEMMA  IN  CHURCH 

agonized  with  terror  as  if  a  rat  were  biting  at  his  heel  ; 
I  could  not  see  what  was  the  matter  and  asked  if  he 
were  ill,  but  he  went  on  alternately  reading  three 
words,  then  turning  round  with  terrified  face  and  ges- 
ture to  his  entangled  hood  till  the  tragedy  worked  itself 
to  this  pitch,  "  And  altho  "  (a  terrified  wink  at  the  desk 
door)  we  ought  at  all  times  (do  assist  me)  humbly  to 
acknowledge  (I'M  CONFINED,  MR.  BROOKFIELD)  (in  an 
audible  voice).  At  this  I  gave  the  door  a  rude  pull, 
released  the  unlucky  vestment,  turned  round  to  bury 
my  convulsions  in  my  surplice,  and  all  thenceforward 
went  on  smoothly,  but  of  course  I  could  not  ask  the 
fool  to  preach  for  me  at  night,  it  would  not  have  been  safe. 

I  preached  an  old  sermon  with  new  bits,  rather 
telling,  I  think.  The  greatest  compliment  I  ever  had 
paid  me  was  from  my  old  Law  Master,  who  was  there 
and  came  round  to  meet  me  as  I  left  the  pulpit ;  a  great 
bear  who  hated  me  when  I  was  with  him,  and  whom 
I  should  have  thought  incapable  of  thinking  anything 
I  could  say  or  do  tolerable.  However,  he  praised  very 
much,  tooked  hashed  mutton  with  me,  went  to  St. 
Luke's  at  night  and  praised  again. 

I  am  writing  all  this  merriment  while  you  are 
suffering.* 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

23  GT.  PULTENEY  ST.,  GOLDEN  SQ., 

9  Nov.,  1844. 
My  dear  Jane, 

I   only  lent  Leon  one  Sovereign.      I  am  extremely 

*  While  on  a  visit  to  a  sister  in  Devonshire  Mrs.  Brookfield  had 
been  taken  suddenly  ill  with  a  malady  which  confined  her  to  her  bed 
for  some  months  during  which  time  she  wrote  no  letters.  This 
illness  rendered  her  delicate  and  caused  her  to  be  somewhat  of  an 
invalid  for  several  years  afterwards. 

141 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

sorry  for  you,  dear  Jane  ;  but  facts  are  facts,  we  cannot 
control  truth  ;  it  is  and  cannot  be  as  if  it  were  not. 

I  will  also  say,  too,  wishing  you  most  heartily 
every  support  under  the  trial.  I  knew  perfectly  well, 
seven  days  ago  it  will  be  in  one  single  half  hour.  I 
knew  of  Mrs.  B.'s  sentiments  with  reference  to  the 
blind  girl.  I  knew  of  her  writing.  I  knew  the  pur- 
port of  the  letter.  But,  my  dear  Jane,  be  calm, — the 
historical  tendency  is  in  the  family.* 

Sir  Charles'  Roman  Emperors,  Hallam's  Middle 
Ages,  what  are  they  but  instances,  creditable  instances 
of  this  propensity  to  record  in  their  own  peculiar 
dialect,  and  like  yourself  with  their  own  peculiar 
charm,  what  had  been  known  to  mankind  for  ages. 


*  Mrs.  Brookfield  had  been  visiting  and  tending  a  blind  girl  in 
her  husband's  parish  and  without  his  knowledge.  She  had  just 
now  in  a  long  letter  confessed  this  act  to  him. 

142 


CHAPTER  V 

"  The  Set."  A  Birthday  Party.  Compliments  from  Rogers. 
London  Library.  Party  at  the  Procter's.  Moxon  and  Alfred 
Tennyson.  Rogers'  Kindness.  Wordsworth's  presentation  to  the 
Queen.  A  Walk.  Gladstone.  Kinglake  and  Eothen.  A  Country 
Visit.  Aubrey  de  Vere.  Harry  Hallam.  A  Dinner.  Barry  Corn- 
wall's Hospitality.  A  Sermon.  Mrs.  Procter  and  Mrs.  Brookfield. 
Hallam  and  the  Parrot.  Accident  to  Thackeray.  Father  Prout. 
Mrs.  Norton.  With  Thackeray  at  Brighton.  Tennyson's  Pension. 
Wilkie  Collins. 

Mr.  Brookfield  had  small-pox  during  the  first  days 
of  the  new  year,  during  which  illness  he  walked,  talked, 
preached  as  usual,  merely  slackening  a  little  when  he 
learned  the  nature  of  his  malady  to  write  new  sermons 
or  re-write  old  ones,  which  "  sport  "  he  maintained 
was  "  becoming  a  mania  with  him." 

They  saw  a  good  deal  of  Rogers  about  this  time, 
and  were  in  the  habit  of  dining  "  extempore  "  with  the 
Hallams  and  others,  and  in  fact  1845  witnessed,  what 
may  be  called,  the  consolidation  of  the  many  friend- 
ships earlier  begun.  As  the  Brookfields  were  in  London 
for  the  whole  of  the  first  part  of  that  year,  their  diaries 
give  some  account  of  how  and  with  whom  they  spent 
their  time.  And  the  record  of  their  doings  on  any  given 
day  or  week  was  then  practically  a  history  of  every 
other  one  ;  for  the  actions  of  the  "  Set,"  as  Thackeray 
called  a  privileged  few,  became  quite  charmingly 
simple  directly  any  members  of  it  found  themselves 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  others.  A  close,  constant, 
pleasant  intimacy  would  inevitably  ensue  and  continue 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

until  the  hour  when  some  of  them,  forced  away  by 
sterner  duties,  were  found  to  fly  "  the  festive  scene." 
"  Festive  "  describes  almost  accurately  most  of  that 
wonderful  companionship  ;  they  had  no  wearyings 
whatever  in  one  another's  society,  they  extemporised 
banquets,  they  strolled  in  and  out  of  each  other's 
dwellings,  they  assembled  the  most  brilliant  of  people 
on  the  shortest  of  notices  ;  they  struck  their  wits  to- 
gether and  always  emitted  sparks ;  they  took  keen 
and  often  critical  interest  in  each  other's  life  and  work, 
and  when  they  parted  set  forth  stimulated  to  other 
and  finer  achievements,  which  in  many  cases  were  in 
due  time  brought  forth  to  the  joy  and  enrichment  of 
the  world. 

Mr.  Thackeray,  for  instance,  was  in  the  habit  of 
breakfasting  with  the  Brookfields  every  Saturday — 
but  that  regular  engagement  in  no  way  prevented  their 
all  meeting  at  dinners  and  suppers  there  and  in  other 
places  that  same  day  as  well  as  on  most  others.  And  so 
it  was  with  most  of  them,  they  went  from  one  to  the 
other,  they  met  en  route  their  choicest  friends,  they 
took  them  home,  they  petted  and  praised  them,  they 
kept  them  late,  knowing  well  they  were  all  about  to 
begin  early  another  day  of  similar  informal  routine. 

We  do  not  quote  much  from  the  diaries  in  order  to 
avoid  repetition,  and  also  because  they  seem  to  grow 
more  entertaining  when  elaborated  into  letters  as  they 
are  later  on  in  this  year. 

March  12th,  1845.     [Diary.] 

To   Milnes'   to  breakfast.     Sir  William   and   Lady 

144 


THACKERAY  AT  DINNER 

Chatterton,  Kenyon,  Canon  Roach,  Mrs.  and  Miss 
Procter — pleasant  enough.  To  Hallam's  after — who 
came  in  in  his  Court  dress.  Walked  home  with  Jane, 
met  Kinglake  who  turned  with  us.  In  evening  read 
Dickens'  "  Chimes/'  as  utter  trash  as  was  ever  trodden 
under  foot. 

15th. 

Thackeray  came  in  to  Breakfast.  While  he  was  with 
us  Mr.  Buller  came.  Went  with  them  to  Baker  St. 
Bazaar.  They  afterwards  took  Jane  to  Miss  Linwood's 
exhibition.  Dined  with  us  to-day,  Spedding,  Kinglake, 
Harley  (George  Harley,  M.D.),  Spring  Rice,  and  in 
the  evening  Merivale  and  H.  Hallam  came.  Smoking 
till  one. 

25th. 

Jane's  birthday.  Laura  and  Grey  with  Thackeray 
and  H.  Hallam  dined  with  us.  We  had  champagne 
at  dessert,  on  which  Thackeray  said  "  So  nice  of  you, 
old  fellow,  buying  two  bottles  of  champagne  on  your 
wife's  birthday."  We  had  Gurnet  for  fish,  and  Grey 
observed  that  they  barked  like  a  dog,  at  which  moment 
a  dog  barked,  when  Laura  said,  "  That  is  the  surviving 
Gurnet  expressing  his  horror  at  being  soused,"  which 
I  had  just  said  must  be  done  with  the  residue.  Thack- 
eray gave  Jane  a  Turkish  shawl.  He  and  Hallam  staid 
to  smoke. 

29th. 

We  dined  at  Hallam's.  Bart  Frere,  Spedding,  Tom 
Taylor,  H.  Mansfield,  and  Spring  Rice.  In  the  evening 
Thackeray  joined  the  smoking.  Home  about  two. 

H5 

11—2309) 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

Mr.  Brookfield,  after  recording  that  he  had  dined 
at  Mr.  Deane's  and  went  on  afterwards  to  Mrs.  Procter's ; 
where  he  found  Milnes,  Talford,  Kinglake,  Goldsmith, 
Mrs.  Montague,  Kenyon,  Benedict,  etc.,  writes  the 
following  chatty  letter  to  his  mother  : 

LONDON, 

16  April,  1845. 
My  dear  Mother, 

Thank  you  very  much  for  your  letter  and  the 
encouraging  reception  you  accord  to  my  last  attempt 
at  a  gossip.  Instead  of  a  mock  modest  deprecation  of 
so  much  charitableness — tho'  I  confess  its  undeserved- 
ness — I  will  at  once  plunge  as  before  into  the  sea  of 
retrospect  and  swim  as  far  as  I  have  time  for  before 
post  closing — of  which  it  lacks,  however,  but  a  bare 
half-hour. 

I  have  just  returned  from  the  Hallam's,  whither 
I  had  taken  Jane  to  see  Kate,  who  is  up  for  ten  days. 
They  went  out  in  the  carriage  and  I  and  H.  came 
together  and  called  on  old,  old,  old  Sam  Rogers — who 
is  as  wonderful  in  conversation  as  ever.  Sydney 
Smith's  death,  however,  must  have  reminded  him 
that  very  few  people  live  "  ollis" — they  were  a  sort  of 
"gemini "  of  wit,  but  Sydney  much  the  younger.  We 
are  to  have  a  domestic  dinner  at  Hallam's  on  Monday 
— and  Rogers  will  join  us.  He  is  a  warm  admirer  of 
Jane's,  and  says  many  of  the  gallant  things  to  her 
which  he  can  say  so  prettily.  Yesterday  we  dined 
with  the  Rector.  Somehow  or  other  I  was  the  talker 
of  the  evening.  I  have  observed  that  people  are  prone 
to  measure  the  pleasantness  of  a  party  by  the  amount 
in  which  they  have  been  allowed  to  prate,  and  I  should 
say,  therefore,  we  had  a  very  pleasant  evening  at  the 
Rector's.  You  may  be  amused  to  know  that  a 

146 


CHARLES  KEMBLE'S  READINGS 

tremendous  roar  was  produced  by  my  telling  (apropos 
of  I  don't  know  what)  of  Jacky  Ward  pronouncing 
that  "  Miss  Rowbottom's  were  the  thickest  legs  under 
the  table."    The  servants  could  not  hold  a  plate  steady 
for  ten  minutes  afterwards.     I  finished  yesterday  a 
fortnight  in  the  vestry,  which  I  have  been  taking  in  the 
present  interregnum  of  Curate — our  late  one  having 
gone  before  a  successor  was  found.     It  has  put  9 
guineas  in  my  pocket,  which  will  pay  my  entrance 
and  one  year's  subscription  to  the  London  Library, 
which  I  wanted  to  belong  to.     On  Monday  evening 
I  went    to   hear   Charles   Kemble  read   "  Much  Ado 
about  Nothing."     It  was  a  very  crowded  room — not 
much  less  than  £200  I  should  think.     And  I  liked  the 
reading  exceedingly — so  much  so  that  I  shall  take  Jane 
to-night  to  hear  "  King  John."     I  have  often  tried  to 
read  a  play — but,  having  never  heard  one  read,  felt 
some  difficulties  which  I  think  I  could  now  somewhat 
surmount — but  reading  is  a  very  delicate  art  and  more 
difficult  than  acting.     It  was  curious  to  me  to  see  in 
the  room  (a  large  lecturing  room  in  the  city)  Dr.  Russell 
(Rector  of  Bishopsgate),   whose   grammar   I   learned 
when  I  was  ten  years  old — and  he  still  a  comparatively 
young  man.     Day  before  (Sunday)  Bishop  preached  at 
St.  James',  for  the  endowment  of  St.  Luke's.     The 
sermon's   an   annual.     Saturday  we  dined   at   home. 
Friday  ditto.     Thursday  at  the  Deane's  (Chairman  of 
Customs — pleasantish).     They  are   "  hearers  "    at  St. 
James's.     Same  evening  we  were  at  a  party  at  Mrs. 
Procter's  (Mr.  P.  is  Barry  Cornwall,  you  know),  when 
came    a    few    remarkables — Kinglake — Milnes — Lady 
Chatterton — and  several  of  a  somewhat  smaller  fry  of 
literature.     Procter  was  an  intimate  of  Lord  Byron. 
She  is  daughter  of  Basil  Montague,  who  edited  Bacon. 
I  am  afraid  the  clock  will  strike  before  I  finish  my 
paper — but  I  will  write  to  the  last  breath.     All  the 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

world,  of  course,  is  talking  about  Maynooth  (The 
Grant) — and  of  course,  as  is  natural,  a  considerable 
amount  of  idiotic  breath  finds  vent  upon  the  subject. 

Mr.  Brookfield  was  evidently  an  apt  pupil,  for  from 
about  this  date  he  was  acknowledged  to  be  one  of  the 
finest  of  Shakesperian  readers.  Kinglake  said  of  him, 
"  An  orator  of  original  genius,  he  possessed  marvellous 
histrionic  skill,  which  he  was  able  to  moderate  in  the 
pulpit.  In  the  reading  of  Shakespeare  he  was  never 
in  his  time  surpassed  by  anyone." 

April  17th.     [Diary.] 

Dined  at  home.  To  Tom  Taylor's  (Temple) ;  Albert 
Smith  there.  They  were  writing  a  burlesque  for  the 
Lyceum  at  Whitsuntide  next.  Thence  to  Chapman's, 
with  whom  a  cigar  and  agreeable  tete-a-tete.  He  told 
me  that  Alfred  Tennyson  is  in  Town. 
l&h. 

Jane  to  Hallam's.  I,  after  a  short  visit  to  the  Vestry, 
to  Alfred  Tennyson's  (Charlotte  St.),  sat  with  him  an 
hour,  and  he  engaged  to  dine  with  us.  At  five  he  came 
to  dinner.  Kate  and  Julia  Hallam  were  there.  He 
very  agreeable.  While  Kate,  Jane  and  I  went  to 
Church  he  staid  and  chatted  with  Julia  Hallam. 
Moxon  came  at  Alfred's  invitation  and  staid  till  six, 
while  Alfred  and  I  smoked  till  one  a.m.  I  liked  him 
very  much.  He  asked  me  at  parting  to  dine  next  day, 
which  I  could  not  do,  being  engaged ! 
19th. 

Thackeray  and  Tom  Taylor  breakfasted.     I  went 

with  them  to  Alfred's — where  we  talked  very  agreeably,. 

148 


ROGERS  AT  DR.  JOHNSON'S  DOOR 

Thackeray  and  I  to  Robson's  and  heard  an  organ  he 
had  built  for  Lord  Saye  and  Sele.  Kate,  Tinling, 
Grey  and  Laura,  Julia  H.  dined  with  us.  Afterwards 
I  went  to  Moxon's,  where  was  Alfred  Tennyson,  no 
one  else.  We  smoked  till  nearly  two.  A  most  agree- 
able evening.  Moxon  told  of  Rogers'  kindness  to  him 
in  lending  him  £500  to  set  him  up. 
21s*. 

Breakfasted  at  Milnes'.  Two  Maynooth  Priests 
(Russell  and  Whytehead),  Bishop  of  St.  David's,  the 
O'Connor  Don,  Blake,  John  Manners,  Rich,  Cavendish, 
Sir  Walter  James,  Aubrey  de  Vere.  Afterwards  to 
Hallam's  with  Jane.  Dined  at  Hallam's.  Rogers  and 
Chas.  Spring  Rice  with  the  Tinlings.  Rogers  told  of 
his  going  to  knock  at  Samuel  Johnson's  door,  when  his 
heart  failed,  he  dared  not,  and  he  went  away.  Also  of 
the  Duke  of  Wellington  on  his  announcing  that  Words- 
worth had  written  a  sonnet  upon  him,  "  Gentlemen, 
there  has  been  a  sonnet  written  on  me."  On  coming 
away  he  shook  me  with  both  hands  and  said,  "  Good- 
night, I  am  much  obliged  to  you."  What  for  ? 
22nd. 

Wrote  to  Rogers  that  we  were  mistaken  in  thinking 
we  could  breakfast  with  him  next  Tuesday,  as  it  is 
Confirmation.  Dined  at  Grey's.  Sir  Chas.  Elton  and 
the  whole  family  in  the  evening.  Read  part  of  "Im- 
provisatore,"  which  unsettles  me  as  all  adventurous 
novels  do. 
25th. 

Dined  at  the  Bishop  of  London's.     Afterwards  to  the 
Hallams'.     Hallam  had  gone  to  the  Queen's  Ball. 

149 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

26th. 

Thackeray   to   breakfast.      Lyttelton   called.      He 
laughed  at  the  similarity  of  Sir  Charles'  voice  to  my 
imitation  of  it. 
29th. 

Confirmation.  About  750  confirmed.  The  Bishop 
sought  me  to  thank  me  for  my  assistance,  but  I  was 
out  of  the  way.  Dined  at  the  Sterling.  Two  Spring 
Rices,  Lord  Ebrington,  Spedding,  Law,  Alfred  Tenny- 
son, Venables,  Merivale,  T.  F.  Ellis,  Trench.  Trench 
willingly  undertook  to  look  at  some  sermons  of  mine. 
To  Spedding's  afterwards. 
May  3rd. 

Thackeray,  Spedding,  Aubrey  de  Vere,  and  C.  Spring 
Rice  breakfasted  here.  To  Alfred  Tennyson's  who  is 
dining  here  this  evening.  Kinglake  and  Alfred  T. 
joined  us  at  dinner,  and  staid  pleasantly  till  half -past 
one. 
6th. 

Vestry.  Jane  and  the  rest  of  them  go  down  the 
river  to  Gravesend,  the  Steam  Navigation  Company 
giving  an  entertainment  on  the  occasion  of  a  launch. 
I  dined  at  Moxon's,  where  were  Wordsworth,  A. 
Tennyson,  H.  Lushington,  Harness,  Dyce,  and  self. 
A.  Tennyson  and  Lushington  came  home  with  me  for 
an  hour.  Wordsworth  described  his  presentation  to 
the  Queen  at  the  Ball  last  Friday  but  one  .  .  .  and 
speaking  of  the  graciousness  of  it  added,  "  I  daresay 
it  was  my  years,  most  likely  she  had  not  read  many  of 
my  works."  He  added  that  he  had  stipulated  with  the 

Lord  Chamberlain  that  he  should  not  just  pass  through 

150 


the  crowd  but  should  be  noticed.  I  remarked  that 
the  Queen  had  done  herself  good  by  her  reception  of 
him,  and  that  he  could  not  have  bestowed  his  patron- 
age on  a  more  depressed  cause  than  that  of  Queendom 
— unless  the  Clergy  .  .  .  which  raised  a  great  laugh. 
I,  however,  begged  to  amend  my  speech  and  to  express 
my  gratitude  for  his  patronage  of  the  Clergy.  He  said 
he  was  quite  content  with  my  first  compliment. 

Towards  the  end  of  the  season  and  just  as  Mrs. 
Brookfield  was  going  into  the  country,  she  wrote  to 
Mr.  Thackeray,  who  had  lent  her  a  book  : 

"  I  am  extremely  obliged  for  Goldsmith  and  still 
more  for  your  letter.  I  don't  like  to  keep  your  servant 
waiting  while  I  attempt  at  all  a  suitable  reply,  but  you 
are  very  unfeeling  in  burlesquing  the  distinguishing 
mark  of  all  ladies  writing,  and  depriving  one  of  the 
faintest  excuse  for  ever  dashing  any  word  to  you  again." 

When  they  were  staying  at  the  Bullar's  at  South- 
ampton we  find  that  "  Thackeray  came  over  from 
Farnham  where  his  mother  and  children  were,  and 
passed  the  day  at  the  BullarsV  These  Bullars,  so 
often  mentioned  in  these  as  well  as  in  the  letters  of 
Mr.  Thackeray  to  Mrs.  Brookfield,  were  a  cultivated, 
interesting  family,  including  a  clergyman  father,  and 
doctor  and  barrister  sons,  all  of  whom  had  a  deep  and 
sincere  affection  for  the  Thackerays  and  the  Brookfields. 

Mr.  Brookfield  to  Mrs.  Brookfield,  Senr. 

31  May,  1845. 
My  dear  Mother, 

You  ask  for  a  leaf  out  of  my  diary.     I  wish  I  had 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

kept  it  for  the  last  fortnight,  for  really  I  cannot  recall 
what  has  happened  since   I  wrote  last.     Indeed,   I 
forget  when  I  did  write  last,  but  I  remember  mention- 
ing dining  at  the  Sterling  Club  dinner,  which  was  a 
month  ago.     The  only  thing  notable  that  I  can  remem- 
ber since  then  was  a  fete  given  by  the  Steam  Navigation 
Company  in  one  of  their  Steamers  to  see  a  launch  down 
at  Woolwich.     They  gave  champagne  dejeuner — music, 
dancing  (a  little,  at  least),  etc.     Tickets  had  been  got 
by  Charles  Grey  for  us,  and  two  of  Jane's  sisters. 
But  the  evening  before  I  got  an  invitation  from  Moxon 
the  printer  (next  door  to  where  the  fire  was  at  Ragget's 
last  Tuesday)  to  meet   Wordsworth  and  others,  and 
I  went.     Meantime  Jane  and  her  brothers-in-law  and 
sisters  went  gallivanting  down  the  river.     There  was 
Spring  Rice  (one  of  her  lovers — but  their  name  is  legion) 
— his  wife,  who  was  the  christener  of  the  new  vessel — 
and  a  great  many  queerish  people  that  one  never  had 
seen  before,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  never  will  again. 
They  seemed  to  enjoy  their  excursion,  and  to  have 
extracted  a  good  deal  of  fun  from  it — which  is  all  that 
ever  can  be  said  of  miscellaneous  concerns  like  that. 
I,  too,  was  satisfied  with  my  commutation  for  cham- 
pagne   at    Moxon' s,    where    we   had    an    exceedingly 
pleasant,  homely  dinner  with  Tennyson,   Wordsworth 
(who  had  come  up  to  be  presented),  Harness,  Lushing- 
ton,  Dyer,  and  myself.     I  have  a  shuddering  feeling 
that  I  told  you  all  this  before.     When  I  got  home  and 
found  the  nautical  folks  supping  as  well  as  they  could — 
and  laughing  as  well  as  if  they  were  supping  better. 
On  7th  May  (whenever  that  might  be)  I  had  one  of  our 
frequent  summer  walks  with  Lord  Lyttelton.     On  these 
occasions  he  calls  on  me  at  about  one.     Away  we  stump 
as  far  out  into  the  country  as  we  can  get,  weather  per- 
mitting or  objecting — it  makes  no  difference — when  we 
arrive  towards  5  p.m.  at  any  praiseworthy  looking 

152  v 


A  GLIMPSE  OF  GLADSTONE 

public — we  get  beefsteaks — or  veal  cutlets  or  what  we 
can — dine  with  huge  glee  and  walk  home  to  tea. 


Mr.  Brookfield  to  Mrs.  Brookfield,  senr.  : 

23  Gx.  PULTENEY  ST., 

20  June,  1845. 
My  dear  Mother, 

Thank  you  for  your  letter.  I  had  never  heard 
of  the  Burying  Beetle.  In  my  early  days  they  had 
no  further  connection  with  interments  than  providing 
the  shroud,  "  I,  said  the  Beetle,  with  my  thread  and 
needle  !  "  By  the  bye,  they  always  pronounce  it  beedle 
here  amongst  the  lower  sort.  My  Beadle  lives  under 
the  Church.  I  called  one  day  to  speak  to  his  wife  and 
asked  how  they  found  the  rooms — whether  damp  or 
what.  "  Oh,  I  should  get  on  very  well,"  she  said,  "  if 
I  wasn't  so  overrun  with  Beedles."  I  thought  it  a  very 
unconnubial  complaint.  Thank  you  also  for  the  May- 
nooth  Petition  of  which  you  write,  whether  by  slip  of 
pen  or  not,  "  which  I  think  answerable."  I  can  only 
say  I  think  so  too.  Wm.  Gladstone  divided  me  from 
my  wife  at  dinner  yesterday  at  the  Lyttelton's — but 
I  did  not  catechise  him  about  his  vote  on  Irish  matters 
— I  have  no  doubt  that  whatever  he  has  done  was  in 
good  faith.  Consistency  and  sincerity  are  two  things 
very  far  indeed  from  identical  or  co-ordinate  ;  and 
apparent  consistency  is  often  purchased  by  a  sacrifice 
of  truth — and  when  truth  (in  which  I  include  all  sorts 
of  integrity)  is  honestly  pursued,  there  must  appear  in 
our  conduct  a  good  deal  of  seeming  inconsistency  in 
this  ever  shifting  world  of  circumstance.  William 
Gladstone  left  the  ministry  before  he  voted  ;  there 
went  £5,000  a  year. 

As  to  Kingslake  (about  whose  book  you  are  particu- 
lar in  asking)  it  is  always  spoken  of  as  a  very  clever 

153 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

book — with  a  very  fine  edged  wit — and  this  it  would 
be  difficult  to  gainsay.  "  Eothen"  is  not  a  novel  of 
reverential  writing  certainly,  but  I  believe  people  of 
fine  minds  and  much  in  the  habit  of  reading  instinct- 
ively separate  the  chaff  from  the  corn ;  and  in  it, 
tho'  it  is  not  free  from  what  is  objectionable,  the  corn 
predominates.  He  is  a  delightful  companion.  He 
sometimes  comes  here.  We  dined  yesterday  at  the 
Lytteltons'.  There  is  a  saying  in  that  family  which 
has  come  round  to  me  three  or  four  times,  once  thro' 
Lady  James,  once  thro'  Mrs.  Gladstone  and  elsewhere 
"  that  Lady  Lyttelton  is  jealous  of  nobody  but  Mr. 
Brookfield  "  meaning  that  if  Ld.  L.  .  .  is  engaged  to 
walk  with  me  on  one  of  our  excursions  nothing  at  home 
can  get  him  to  relinquish  it,  etc.,  etc.  Well,  old  Lady 
Davy — who  is  deaf — a  gentlewoman  who  knows  every- 
body, told  somebody  that  Lady  Lyttelton  was  jealous 
of  nobody  but  Mrs.  Brookfield — a  distinction  not 
without  a  difference.  Wednesday  I  was  at  the  House 
of  Commons.  Dull.  Tuesday  night  we  went  to  a 
concert  at  Miss  Herries',  there  were  a  few  first-rate 
Italian  singers  from  the  opera,  and  a  large  company, 
but  I  don't  remember  anything  good  being  said. 
Monday  we  dined  with  the  Milnes-Gaskells.  We  had 
Ld.  Jno.  Manners,  Morpeth,  Monckton  Milnes,  Stafford, 
O'Brien,  and  Sir  F.  Doyle,  Lady  D.,  Jane,  Miss  Wynn, 
Miss  Harcourt  (Archbishop's  daughter),  and  myself. 
It  was  excessively  agreeable.  All  people  that  one 
knew  and  not  much  older  or  younger  than  oneself. 
It  is  pleasant  to  see  opposition  parliament  men  at 
dinner — i.e.,  when  they  are  clever  ones — as  all  the 
above — excepting,  by  the  bye,  Doyle  and  Morpeth, 
who  are  not  in  parliament — and  one  other  gent  who  is 
neither. 

Ever  most  affectionately, 

W.  H.  BROOKFIELD. 

154 


A  RAMBLE  WITH  LORD  LYTTELTON 

They  were  so  much  in  the  habit  of  saying  and 
hearing  "  good  "  things  that  they  aired  their  surprise, 
as  above,  when  there  came  the  occasion  on  which 
nothing  striking  was  said. 


July  2nd.     [Diary.] 

At  three  Lord  Lyttelton  called  as  agreed.  We  set 
out  for  Hungerford  Bridge,  proposing  to  go  to  Putney 
by  steam.  It  rained  so  much  that  we  went  to  the 
"  Cheshire  Cheese  "  to  dine,  poking  along  the  Adelphi 
as  we  went  to  Savoy  Chapel.  After  dinner  by  omnibus 
to  Surrey  Gardens.  Views  of  Edinburgh.  Rock  har- 
monicon.  At  nine  thirty  I  went  to  Thackeray's, 
where  were  Father  Prout  (Mahoney),  Morton,  and 
Wyndham.  Staid  till  two. 
5th. 

Thackeray  breakfasted.  Letter  arrives  that  Totty 
Fanshawe  may  return  to-day,  which  she  immediately 
prepares  to  do.  Thackeray  and  I  to  Eraser's,  where 
he  buys  for  her  "  Pride  and  Prejudice."  He  and  I 
take  her  down  to  Vauxhall  to  see  her  off  to  Southamp- 
ton ;  returning,  we  look  in  on  Millbank  Penitentiary. 
August  5th. 

To  Hampstead  to  call  on  Wickham's  at  Eton  Cottage, 
thence  to  Colonel  Elton.  He  was  visible  to  me  by 
accident,  but  not  ceremonially,  so  I  left  my  card. 
Thackeray  called,  so  we  went  to  Mrs.  Procter's.  Then 
he  dined  with  me  but  seemed  quite  out  of  sorts.  To 
his  rooms,  whither  came  Budham  and  Father  Mahoney. 
Horn*  at  half-past  one. 

155 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

In  July  Mrs.  Brookfield  had  gone  into  Somersetshire 
to  stay  with  the  Hallams,  and  letters  began  to  pass 
again* 

WRAXALL  LODGE, 

1845.    5  Aug. 
My  dearest  William, 

The  poor  Horse  died  last  night — Boosey  announced 
it  with  a  quivering  voice  at  tea,  and  sorry  we  all  were — 
but  Harry  rallied  sufficiently  to  propose  taking  Julia's 
young  horse  in  to  the  dead  horse's  stable  to  teach  him 
a  lesson  of  mortality !  All  yesterday  till  near  5 
o'clock  the  Church  Bell  was  tolling  for  a  lady  who  died 
on  Saturday,  I  believe.  Harry  suggested  tolling  our 
dinner  bell  for  the  horse,  also  pulling  down  the  stable 
blinds  !  I  was  delighted  by  the  sight  of  your  letter 
and  thank  you  for  finding  time  for  so  long  a  one  on 
•a  busy  day.  I  had  been  sobering  myself  to  expect  just 
a  few  straggling  lines  and  your  sheet  was  pleasantly 
full.  Why  did  not  you  open  and  read  Aubrey  De 
Vere  ?  He  apologises  for  not  having  sooner  sent  the 
poems,  owing  to  his  time  and  thoughts  being  at  his 
father's  sick  bed  and  till  he  was  better  he  had  neglected 
his  present  to  me,  and  then  he  proceeds  to  remark, 
"  I  believe  I  ought  also  to  apologise  for  sending  you  at 
all  what  is  little  worthy  of  your  perusal.  However, 
I  cannot  make  my  verses  better  either  by  praising 
them  or  depreciating  them,  so  I  will  only  say  the  simple 
fact  that  it  is  on  such  occasions  as  the  present  that  I 
regret  their  being  so  bad."  He  remembers  himself  to 
Brookfield,  whom  he  hopes  to  meet  at  the  Sterling 
dinner  on  Wednesday,  at  Greenwich.  You  see,  I  do 
not  part  with  his  autograph  to  send  to  you  and  I  am 
going  by  and  bye  to  answer  his  letter  with  all  the  airs 
the  wind  can  blow  of  gratitude,  admiration,  etc., 

.56 


UNCLE  HALLAM 

that  I  can  allow  myself  to  give  utterance  to  out  of 
London,  and  within  the  bounds  of  conventionality. 
Yesterday  we  set  off  for  Lady  Le  Poer  Trench  and  for 
Ceciliatic  visiting.  I  was  to  be  dropped  at  the  latter' s 
while  the  Hallams  did  homage  to  the  Le  Poer — but  the 
rain  it  raineth  every  day  and  in  torrents  it  fell,  the 
horses'  legs  swayed  to  and  fro  in  the  clay  red  streams 
we  had  slowly  to  drag  thro'  ;  hail  pattered  on  our 
roof,  and  poor  Uncle  H.  was  distressed  and  perplexed, 
but  still  wished  to  get  over  the  civil  thing  to  the  Trench 
Dowager.  It,  therefore,  behooved  J.  O.  B.  to  beg  her 
movements  might  be  no  clog  (Ha !  ha !  ha !  clog — 
muddy  day,  you  recollect  ?)  upon  the  more  paramount 
plan  of  action,  and  she  begged  to  resign  her  visit, 
wherefore  with  speedier  tread  and  relieved  interiors 
(the  tread  applies  to  the  horses — the  interiors  to  the 
trio  inside  the  carriage,  not  to  their  individual  interiors), 
we  went  straight  to  Trench.  The  rain  poured  down 
as  the  servant  bird  of  ill  omen  uttered  "  at  home," 
and  then  came  one  of  Uncle  H.'s  funny  Carolinistic 
agitations  "  How  could  Jane  come  in  "  when  I  did  not 
visit  there  ?  Julia,  however,  was  peremptory  that  I 
must  not  stay  out  in  the  rain,  to  which  his  benevolence 
assented  (it  is  perfectly  usual  to  take  any  visitor  in 
your  house  to  morning  calls),  and  in  we  all  went, — the 
Le  Poeress  was  a  little  old  lady  with  very  civil  manners 
and  a  little  air  of  dignity  in  keeping  with  her  high 
estate — and  the  visit  over,  I  was  amused  with  "  By 
the  bye,  Julia,  you  did  not  apologise  for  bringing  Jane 
in,  did  you  ?  "  which  idea  she  indignantly  repelled,  and 
we  laughed  much  about  it  with  Harry  afterwards ; 
my  ogre-like  appearance,  or  awkward  manners,  or 
servant-rank,  being  severally  suggested  as  accounting 
for  my  Uncle's  state  of  fidget. 


157 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

Mrs.  Brookfield  to  Aubrey  de  Vere  : 

WRAXALL  LODGE, 
NR.  BRISTOL, 

Dear  Mr.  De  Vere,  5  Au&'>  1845' 

Your  kind  note  was  only  forwarded  to  me  to-day  ; 
if  I  had  sooner  received  your  Poems  you  would  not 
Tiave  found  me  so  ungratefully  silent  as  I  must  have 
appeared  ever  since  you  sent  them  to  me,  and  I  must 
now  thank  you  for  your  book  and  for  the  pleasure  I  have 
already  had  in  reading  the  lent  Copy  of  it  which    I 
Thought  with  me  into  the  Country  a  month  ago,  to  read 
in  a  more  congenial  scene  than  Great  Pulteney  St. 
I  feel  it  is  very  presumptuous  in  me,  uninitiated  in 
Wordsworth  and  incapable  of  writing  or  imagining  how 
others  can  write  one  line  of  Poetry,  to  venture  to  praise, 
and  I  must  not  attempt  to  do  so.      The  Hymns  for  the 
•Canonical  Hours  have  particularly  struck  me  by  their 
very  great  sweetness  and  their  soothing  and  quieting 
tone,  and  there  are  so  many  thoughts  throughout  both 
Volumes  which  I  was  so  glad  to  find  expressed  in  words. 
I  assure  you  your  gift  will  be  valued  however  inade- 
quately. Mr.  Brookfield  returned  to  Town  Saturday, 
leaving  me  with  my  Uncle  Mr.  Hallam,  I  suppose,  for 
a  week  or  two  longer.     I  trust  you  have  no  longer  any 
•cause  for  anxiety  about  your  father.     I  only  know 
"  Van  Artevelde,"  I  am  sorry  to  say,  but  will  try  soon 
to  read  "  Edwin  the  Fair."     I  heard  it  was  likely  to 
•disappoint  one  after  "  Van  Artevelde." 
Believe  me, 

Yours  very  truly, 

JANE  O.  BROOKFIELD. 

Mrs.  to  Mr.  Brookfield :         «r  T  „ 

WRAXALL  LODGE, 

8th  Aug.,  45. 
Uncle  Hallam  was  amusing  in   preparing  for  the 

158 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  C 

Mrs.  Brookfield  to  A  Vere  : 

.  LODGE, 
NR.  BRIS-I 

Dear  Mr.  De  Ver  5  A 

Your  kind  ir  lorwardeJ  to  n 

if  I  had  soon*  .  Poems  yoi 

have  found  KK  Jly  silent  a     . 

appeared  ever  them  to  . 

now  thank  you  for  your  book  and  for 
already  had  in  reading  the  lent  (>  py 
brought  with  n  Country  a  month 

in  a  more  than  Great  P 

imptuous  in  me,  uninitiated  in 
•able  cf  writing  or  imagining  how 
v,  to  venture  to  praise, 
The  Hvmns  lo 


8*A  Aug.,  45. 
ing  for  the 


UNEXPECTED  GUESTS 

Gibbs'  dinner  by  gravely  and  rather  a  shade  testily 
asseverating  that  on  counting  up  the  neighbours 
there  could  not  be  more  than  five  gentlemen  to  meet 
him,  and  he  therefore  enjoined  us  to  come  at  J  past  7 
to  suit  the  Country  and  so  small  a  party,  but  Julia 
and  I  stuck  out  for  \  past  eight,  and  punctually  at 
that  hour  were  ushered  into  the  drawing-room,  which 
we  found  filled  with  ladies  "  only"  and  about  6  little 
girls,  Mrs.  Edward  and  two  Miss  Vaughans,  and 
sundry  unknowns.  Soon  after  the  door  again  opened 
and  in  poured  a  motley  Group  of  twelve  dinner  Guest- 
Gentlemen  of  the  County,  on  whom  Uncle  H.  had  not 
calculated,  two  Mileses,  two  Vaughans,  no  end  of 
Gibbses  and  Arthur  ! 

I  had  a  letter  the  day  before  yesterday — it  was 
lying  by  the  side  of  my  plate  at  breakfast  when  Uncle 
Hallam  began  "  Who  in  the  world  directs  to  you  at 
Sir  Charles  Elton's  without  any  '  Bart '  ?  "  and  there 
was  a  general  scream  as  to  who  my  correspondent 
could  possibly  be,  which  at  first  I  would  not  tell,  as 
I  said  they  seemed  so  horrified  'twas  unkind  to  victim- 
ise my  friend ;  but  Uncle  Hallam,  getting  really 
curious,  and  reiterating  how  much  he  wished  to  know, 
my  pride  of  friend  gave  way  and  I  gratified  him.  Arthur 
has  just  been  here  en  route  for  Bristol,  and  as  we  start 
after  luncheon  for  the  Court  my  letter  is  somewhat 
hurried,  and  you  will  not  be  able  to  compliment  me 
again  on  my  good  letters  ;  also  my  expedition  to  Bris- 
tol somewhat  knocked  me  up  yesterday,  and  un- 
wraxalled  my  mind  I  suppose  at  the  same  time,  for  no 
wittery  in  reply  to  yours  occurs  to  me. 

Uncle  Hallam  and  I  had  a  good  deal  of  talk  on  our 
journey  to  and  fro— confidential.  Soh !  You  dis- 
cussed " Matrimonial  irritations "  and  "domestic  mat- 
ters "  with  yourr  frriend  Thackeray !  I  hope  you  may 
enjoy  the  Procteress  repast  to-day  (meant  to  be  said 

J59 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

in  a  highly  satirical  tone).  Harry  knocks  under  about 
the  right  of  road  dispute,  he  grovels  at  your  feet,  for 
you  were  right  after  all!  How  very  funny  you  are 
about  my  "  imitative  propensities."  I  believe  you  are 
quite  serious  in  your  warnings  and  fears  of  my  Pilling 
when  I  leave  the  last  trace  of  Cambridge  influences 
behind  me. 

Good-bye,  don't  be  too  cold  shouldery  in  your 
meals,  fat  of  the  land  and  Mrs.  Procter  one  day,  and 
tripe  and  blue  etceteras  the  next. 

Mr.  Brookfield,  writing  to  his  father,  says  :  "  Harry 
Hallam,  the  only  surviving  son,  joined  us  the  first  day 
of  our  visit  to  Wraxall.  He  is  exceedingly  well  gifted 
and  cultivated,  not  unlikely  to  be  medallist  if  he  should 
succeed  in  getting  a  Senior  Optirne  degree  in  Mathe- 
matics. He  is  a  better  scholar  tho'  not  equal  in  the 
higher  regions  of  Philosophy  to  his  late  brother — 
though  neither  of  them  were  defective  in  that  depart- 
ment in  which  the  latter  excelled." 


Mr.  to  Mrs  Brookfield  : 

23  GT.  PULTENEY  ST., 

9  August,  45. 
My  dear  Jane, 

To  resume  our  Story.  We  left  Villiers  sealing  a 
letter  to  his  wife,  who  was  staying  with  her  relations, 
the  A.  Lambs,  at  their  ancestral  mansion  of  Rex  Hall, 
once  the  seat  of  royalty,  in  Somersetshire.  He  used, 
as  was  his  wont,  his  old  family  signet,  a  mailed  arm 
and  sickle  with  the  motto  "  Pitch  in,"  which  had  been 
won  by  his  knightly  forefathers  in  the  olden  time. 
Villiers  was  not  one  of  those  who  in  a  paltry  and  sordid 
misinterpretation  of  Christian  humility  underrated  the 
value  of  birth  and  ancestry.  No  one  could  be  more 

1 60 


MRS.  PROCTER 

studious  to  repress  the  vulgar  obtrusiveness  and  fami- 
liarity of  those  who  vainly  imagined  that  learning, 
integrity,  and  good  manners  entitled  them  to  address 
him  as  an  equal,  and  he  considered  that  a  proper  ex- 
clusiveness  was  part  of  his  "  duty  in  that  state  of  life 
to  which  it  had  pleased  ...  to  call  him."  In  this 
spirit  he  always  sealed  with  his  family  crest  ! 

At  7J  yesterday  to  the  Proctrix.  Only  Count 
Revel  and  Thackeray,  and  Procter  and  Wife  and 
daughter.  Very  pleasant.  Procter  is  fearfully  hos- 
pitable. I  don't  wonder  at  fellows  being  so  fond  of  him. 
So  modest,  has  not  even  the  degree  of  impudence 
needful  for  expressing  himself.  Everything  good  and 
true  about  him.  We  left  him  fast  asleep  on  the  sofa. 
One  of  Mr.  P.'s  girls  (Edith)  is  verrrry  like  me.  Thence 
to  Thackeray's  rooms  where  we  had  a  weed. 

The  matrimonial  discussion  with  Thackeray  was 
only  with  reference  to  D.  J.  Somehow  I  don't  get  on 
in  my  writing.  I  thought  yesterday  I  had  loads  of 
"  remarks  "  to  make.  I  am  too  generous  to  make 
any  comment  upon  Harry's  discomfiture.  He  is  dead, 
so  is  my  enmity,  the  lion  preys  not  upon  carcases. 
The  Proctrix  has  not  one  smallest  sparklet  of  humour. 
Witty,  well  informed, — or  what  you  like  (No,  Mr. 
Caudle,  what  you  like  if  you  please),  but  not  one  jot  of 
humour.  It  is  a  sad  deficiency.  They  sail  for  Paris 
next  Saturday.  Thackeray  and  Procter  propose  going 
unbeknownst  at  the  same  time  for  a  day  or  two.  But 
I  think  they  will  not  (unbeknownst  I  mean  to  Mrs.  and 
Miss  P.). 

When  I  look  back  upon  my  letter,  and  see  how 
empty  —  vapid  —  meagre  —  humourless  —  newsless  — 
every  thingless  it  is,  and  compare  it  with  yours — fluent 
— funny — interesting — I  am  ashamed  of  the  contrast. 
Farewell,  dear  Jenny — be  healthy  and  happy  at  Hal- 
berton.  Take  care  of  your  diet.  Breathe  plenty  of 

161 

12— (2309) 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

fresh  air.     Take  heed  to  your  way  going  up  and  down 
stairs,  and  don't  pill — and  you  shall  be  welcome  home. 
God  bless  you, 

Ever  most  affectionately, 

W.  H.  BROOKFIELD. 

Mrs.  to  Mr.  Brookfield  : 

WRAXALL  LODGE, 

Wth  Aug.,  45. 
My  dearest  William, 

Thank  you  much  for  to-day's  Belle-lettre  ;  as  usual 
on  Sunday  I  have  only  three-quarters  of  an  hour  after 
Gorging  (a  thrill,  lest  the  Gorges  should  oversee  me 
profaning  their  name)  myself  with  a  Lambic 
luncheon  and  also  sooth  to  say,  joining  in  with  Senior 
and  Junior  and  even  Julia,  in  "pishes"  and  "shrugs" 
and  "  did  you  evers  "  ?  called  forth  by  this  morning's 
sermon  preached  by  Mr.  J.  V.  (brother  to  our  deaf  and 

roof-palateless  friend),  "  The  Mr.  V.  of  B ,  you 

know" — said  Miss  Mason  whom  we  saw  Friday  at 
Naish.  He  preached  on  the  \  text  "  Here  I  am,"  and 
in  so  very  affected  a  voice  I  have  not,  I  think,  for 
years  heard  anything  at  all  like  it — our  friend  Rogerio 
of  Weston-Souper  perhaps  came  near  it.  One  expected 
a  curtain  to  fall  amid  clapping  of  hands  when  the  sermon 
ended  with  an  abrupt  burst  of  eloquence,  the  voice 
gaining  in  strength  and  the  words  as  much  clipped  as 
possible  to  make  him  the  more  affectionate  cofamiliar. 
"  'Tis  the  voice  of  the  Archangels — Here  am  IN!  " — 
and  then  the  voice  dropped  again.  He  said  we  should 
be  always  on  tip-toe  (on  which  a  few  poor  boys  taking 
him  literally  suddenly  looked  very  tall) ;  but  I  can  give 
you  no  idea  of  his  intonation,  poor,  dear  man — you  can 
easily  imagine  it. 

I  shall  not  answer  poor  Madonna,  I  think,  till  I 
hear  again  from  you  ;  of  course  I  should  write  with  due 

162 


A  WET  DAY  IN  A  COUNTRY  HOUSE 

delicacy  and  kindness  to  her,  though  I  may  own  to  you 
I  feel  a  shade  taken  by  surprise,  and  cannot  quite  make 
out  how  long  she  has  thought  him  attached  to  her  or 
thought  of  him  herself  in  that  light.  It  is  perhaps 
rather  soon,  but  let  "  him  that  thinketh  he  standeth 
take  heed  lest  he  fall."  How  foolishly,  blindly  fond 
I  am,  of  being  liked  and  admired  (?).  If  I  had  not  the 
restraint  of  very  deep  affection  for  you,  and  some 
restraint  of  conscience,  I  should  be,  I  believe,  still 
on  the  look  out  for  conquest — and  here  I  am  half 
blaming  poor  Madonna  who  is  at  least  quite  at  liberty 
to  be  in  love !  .  .  .  It  is  impossible  for  me  ever  to  love 
anyone  as  I  do  you — but  others  of  course  are  differently 
constituted  and  yet  blameless  ;  there  is  no  merit  in 
loving  exorbitantly,  perhaps  quite  the  reverse." 

In  a  preceding  letter  Mrs.  Brookfield  had  apologised 
for  having  "  only  witticisms — the  poor  gabble  and  quips 
of  the  humorous  kind  incidental  to  a  wet  day  in  a 
country  house  "  to  give  to  her  husband.  For  she  and 
her  "  witty  cousin,"  Harry  Hallam,  had  found  their 
only  amusement  and  recreation  in  frightening  them- 
selves and  the  family  with  ghost  tales  which  they 
themselves  invented  concerning  the  Gorges,  the 
former  owners  of  Wraxall  Lodge.  "  Madonna  "  was 
a  lady  of  Southampton,  a  friend  of  the  "  set,"  a  widow 
and  middle-aged,  who  had  made  this  girl  of  24  her 
confidante. 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

23  Gx.  PULTENEY  ST., 

11  Aug.,  1845. 
My  dear  Jane, 

In  one  week  I  have  received  from  you  two  letters, 

163 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

one  double  stamped  and  the  others  (this  morning) 
charged  for  overweight,  both  of  which  might  have 
contained  twice  the  number  of  words  on  half  the 
quantity  of  paper. 

Before  I  proceed  I  will  solemnly  declare  that  I  will 
return  the  next  letter  that  is  needlessly  overweight 
or  one  syllable  shortened  to  be  underweight. 

You  left  me  no  difficulty  in  realizing  V.  My  sister 
Caroline  was  in  love  with  him  once.  She  used  to  hear 
him  at  Chelsea  or  thereabouts  when  she  was  with  my 
Aunts.  As  to  Madonna  I  don't  see  that  I  can  give  any 
advice.  I  think  your  view  quite  right  and  you  must 
tell  her  the  truth  as  kindly  as  you  can,  which  there 
can  be  no  manner  of  doubt  of  your  doing  in  the  best 
way  possible.  The  only  advice  I  can  give  additional 
is  that  you  should  write  as  wide  as  possible  lest  she 
find  your  crabbed  hand  illegible  ;  and  on  as  thick  heavy 
paper  as  you  can  get — as  no  doubt  such  a  letter  will  be 
subjected  to  a  great  deal  of  wear  and  tear  being  shown 
to  all  her  friends  and  acquaintances  ;  and  also  that 
you  should  forget  to  pay  the  postage  lest  she  should  feel 
hurt  at  your  having  incurred  expense  in  such  a  matter. 
For  my  own  part,  I  can  hardly  think  that  W.  B.  can  be 
blameable — it  could  only  be  Madonna's  wish  that  was 
father  to  the  thought.  If  she  is  wise,  however,  she  will 
leave  the  town.  Absence  is  the  only  remedy — and 
it  soon  acts. 

My  Father  came  Saturday  night.  On  Sunday 
night  Charles  Frederick  and  Little  Gaye  came  in.  At 
10J  they  went — and  had  hardly  gone  when  Thackeray 
arrived.  My  Father  was  just  off  to  bed — so  we  kept 
him  up  J  hour  and  then  dismissed  him  and  betook 
ourselves  to  serious  debauch.  We  smoked  and  "  con- 
versed "  till  1J.  We  flattered  you  a  little.  (Your 
"  more  to  pay  "  letter  had  not  then  arrived.}  He  said 
"  Funny  little  fact  that — Mrs.  Procter  being  so  jealous 

164 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD'S  CHARM 

of  Mrs.  Brookfield."  "  Oh,  nonsense — it's  one  of  the 
little  facts  you  invent  for  the  fun  of  it."  "  Oh,  but  as 
it's  quite  evident,"  etc.  But  after  your  horribly 
profligate  confessions  in  your  last  page  but  one  I  will 
go  no  further,  not  but  that  you  are  quite  right  in  making 
excuses  for  Madonna.  I  hope  you  are  aware  that  in 
your  successful  anxiety  to  reduce  the  weight  of  your 
letter  to  the  lowest  grain  you  left  out  a  leaf  more  or 
less — the  last  page  begins  "him  by  surprise  to  find  he 
has  complete  control  over  £1,000  a  year  "  which  has 
no  kind  of  connection  with  the  preceding  page  which 
concludes  with  Madonna  being  "  at  liberty  to  be  in 
love."  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  next  page  breathed 
a  devout  aspiration  after  similar  liberty  and  that  you 
thought  it  better  to  suppress  it. 

Ever  most  affectionately  yours, 

W.  H.  BROOKFIELD. 


If  Mrs.  Procter  had  not  been  jealous  of  Mrs.  Brook- 
field  she  would  scarcely  have  been  human.  She  was  not 
beautiful,  but  she  possessed  a  peculiarly  clear  mind  and 
a  fine  intelligence,  and  was  moreover  a  brilliant  and 
attractive  conversationalist.  The  mordant  touch 
which  she  sometimes  added  to  her  stories  did  not  in  any 
degree  take  from  their  value,  but  perhaps  attracted  to 
her  her  particular  audience  of  eager  listeners  ;  though 
these — and  this  it  seems  was  the  crime — these  were 
known  to  turn  away  in  a  body  as  Mrs.  Brookfield 
entered  the  room,  and  transfer  their  allegiance  from 
the  one  side  of  the  room  to  the  other — with  barely 
an  apology. 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

Mrs.  to  Mr.  Brookfield  : 

HALBERTON  VICARAGE, 

12th  Aug.,  45. 
My  dearest  William, 

I  hope  you  see  that  I  am  trying  to  cramp  my 
writing  to-day,  but  I  am  afraid  it  makes  very  little 
difference,  because  it  is  so  entirely  the  character  of  my 
hand  to  be  sprawling.  However  I  need  not  be  sulky 
about  it  and  at  all  events  I  know  it  is  very  tiresome 
to  find  the  same  thing  recur  again  and  again  about 
which  you  have  complained,  I  only  wish  you  to  believe 
that  I  do  try  to  alter  my  writing. 

I  left  the  Hallams'  with  the  impression  of  having 
had  a  very  nice  visit  there  indeed.  Julia  H.  amused 
me  by  saying  that  I  had  quite  won  Uncle  H.'s  heart 
by  praising  her  and  Harry,  the  "  sure  way  to  his  heart," 
she  said — but,  of  course,  all  I  said  was  merely  spon- 
taneous feeling — after  I  had  talked  about  them  though 
I  found  Uncle  H.  peculiarly  empresse  in  his  kindness 
to  me,  calling  me  "  My  dear,"  not  a  usual  term  with 
him  except  to  his  children,  and  giving  me  a  little  tap 
now  and  then  and  a  complimentary  speech  or  two. 
Talking  of  parrots  my  uncle  asked  me  (not  much  worth 
repeating),  "  Does  not  Robinson  Crusoe  eat  parrots' 
eggs  ?  "  "  Oh,  no,  I  believe  they  were  goats'  eggs. 
I  mean  turtles'  eggs."  And  on  Harry's  talking  of 
teaching  the  parrot  to  say  "  Ugly  Poll  "  for  novelty 
('twas  your  idea),  Uncle  H.'s  beautiful  touch  of  bene- 
volence struck  us  all.  "  No,  no.  Why  teach  a  poor 
ignorant  animal  to  mock  itself  ?  " 

Sunday  afternoon  the  Clergyman,  who  was  mistaken 
for  Hensman,  preached,  and  we  behaved  rather  badly 
in  the  long  gallery-like  pew,  it  must  be  confessed. 
The  Preacher  took  occasion  to  compare  the  human 
race  to  sheep,  and  quoted  texts  in  support  of  his  doing 
so,  but  then  he  proceeded  to  "  mock  the  poor  dumb 

1 66 


MR.  THACKERAY'S  COOKERY  BOOK 

animals  "  by  adding  that  they  were  "  silly  " — ergo  we 
are  Silly,  and  so  he  repeated  (it  was  partly  an  extem- 
poraneous sermon),  "  Poor  Silly  Sheep  " — at  least  3 
or  4  times,  stressing  the  word  Silly,  till  I  suddenly 
caught  sight  of  Harry's  face,  and  then  saw  Julia's 
flower  in  her  bonnet  most  suspiciously  fluttering — 
her  head  bowed  down  in  the  anguish  of  shame  which 
yet  irrepressible  laughter  called  forth — it  was  dreadful 
how  to  recover  oneself — but  we  did  at  length  gird  our- 
selves up  into  demureness.  To-morrow  I  hope  to 
write  to  thee  again,  and  wash  away  the  impression  of 
what  I  fear  is  the  grumpiness  of  my  excuses  for  large 
writing. 

Yours  most  fondly, 

J.  O.  B. 


In  a  postscript  she  asks  to  be  sent  Mr.  Thackeray's 
Cookery  Book  in  order  to  take  recipes  for  the  making  of 
"  Refreshing  Drinks  "  therefrom. 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

23,  GT.  PULTENEY  ST., 

13  Aug.,  45. 
Singular  good  soul, 

Your  grumpiness  is  not  unbecoming,  and  makes 
not  the  least  amusing  part  of  your  letter.  I  would 
admit  the  force  of  your  expostulation  as  to  its  being 
tedious,  irksome,  and  a  check  to  write  close  excepting 
that  I  "  deny  the  fact."  Isn't  the  sensiblest  way  to 
ascertain  first  how  much  paper  goes  to  the  J  oz.  and 
then  to  write  up  to  the  edge  of  the  precipice — crop — 
abbreviate — close  up  ranks — interline — etc.,  but  never 
to  pass  the  brink  ?  But  of  all  the  ungrateful  black- 
guards I  ever  knew  that  must  be  the  worst  who  could 

167 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

upbraid  me  with  the  spaces  between  my  words.  Does 
any  Man  in  England  write  letters  so  long  and  frequent 
as  I — did  I  ever  put  you  to  an  extra  penny  expense 
with  too  much  paper  or  short  en  my  letter  with  too  little? 
No,  Jane  !  I  hope  goodness  will  forgive  you  that  in- 
sinuation for  I  never  will. 

I  don't  think  I  ever  read  a  prettier  little  story  than 
Hallam  and  the  parrot — it  ought  to  go  into  his  life. 
The  long-pew  scene  is  excellent  ;  in  short,  I  should 
say  that  upon  the  whole  Wraxall  Church  has  been 
to  you  all  a  very  good  substitute  for  the  Haymarket. 
With  reference  to  Madonna — you  must  have  this 
important  fact  in  mind  as  a  basis  to  proceed  upon, 
viz. — that  W.  B.  is  not  in  love  ;  same  time  he  is  quite 
aware  of  her  liking  for  him  ;  I  can  have  no  doubt  that 
she  has  betrayed  that  liking,  and  I  think  he  has  taken 
fright.  In  which  he  is  quite  right.  They  would  be 
wretched  married.  Did  I  forget  to  mention  that  I 
met  de  Vere  yesterday  ?  He  had  received  your  letter. 
Stephen  Spring  Rice  with  his  wife  is  near  Newmarket 
at  his  Mother's  in  law,  and  afterwards  goes  into  the 
North — Lakes,  I  suppose,  for  by  the  reverential  ex- 
pression of  de  Vere's  face  as  he  said  "  The  North  " — 
it  must  have  been  where  Wordsworth  is.  The  dinner 
at  C.  Hoare's  was  very  good — I  did  not  know  a  soul 
except  Bart  Frere.  We  had  a  haunch  of  Venison — as 
might  have  been  expected  from  Mrs.  H.  saying  before- 
hand '  I  really  don't  know  whether  you  will  get  any 
dinner  or  not — for  everything  is  packed  up  for  Waven- 
den,  and  we  have  not  a  servant  left  in  the  house  (there 
were  13  in  livery  at  dinner  or  numbers  to  that  effect). 
I  sate  between  the  Princess  and  the  Beautiful.  Really 
the  Beautiful's  expression  and  manner  is  pleasing — 
good-natured  and  unaffected.  And  the  Princess  you 
would  certainly  like — probably  very  much.  She  gave 
me  as  I  came  away  £3  for  the  poor  and  begged  I  would 

1 68 


TOM  TAYLOR  AND  ALBERT  SMITH 

refer  to  her  when  I  could  do  so  with  advantage  to  any 
poor  person.  Both  she  and  the  Beautiful  talked  of 
one's  (I  take  for  granted  two's)  going  there  sometimes 
(I  mean  to  Wavenden)  as  if  it  were  really  intended. 
I  left  at  11  and  finished  at  Thackeray's — who  had 
Morton  with  him.  I  was  writing  away  up  to  the  last 
word  fluently  enough — but  Cadwalladr  had  occasion 
to  call — and  this  has  stopped  my  flow.  I  am  daily 
bowed  down  by  conscious  meanery  in  making  such 
poor  requital  for  thy  charming  letters. 
Love,  etc., 

Ever  most  affectionately, 

W.  H.  BROOKFIELD. 


Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

23  GT.  PULTENEY  ST., 

15  Aug.,  1845. 
My  dear  Jane, 

I  have  ordered  a  small  matter  of  fish  for  to-morrow. 
Do  not  look  for  a  sturgeon  or  anything  more  than  a 
small  neiborly  thing.  The  order  was  "  a  small  salmon 
for  Saturday's  dinner  with  a  lobster — and  make  up 
with  some  other  kind  of  fish  to  make  a  nice  dish  for 
Sunday."  You  must  tell  me  how  the  order  is  executed, 
and  if  it  arrives  by  early  train  on  Saturday. 

I  did  nothing  in  the  world  yesterday,  but  travel 
into  the  city  to  get  a  few  good  cigars  cheap.  In 
returning  I  asked  Tom  Taylor  and  his  friend,  Albert 
Smith,  to  look  in  and  meet  Thackeray,  but  neither 
came.  Thack  came  at  1 1  £  and  sate  till  1 J — and  going 
home  (I  find  to-day)  has  sprained  his  ancle  and  must 
be  laid  up  in  lavender  for  some  days.  I  told  him  it 
would  make  a  capital  advertisement  for  my  Spirit 
Merchant.  "  Alarming  accident  to  the  Fat  Contributor. 
Yesterday  Evening,  etc.,  late  or  rather  early  hours, 

169 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

etc.,  from  the  cheerful  convivialities  of  a  Revd.  Gent, 
not  100  miles  from  Golden  Square." 
I  have  no  time  left. 

Ever  most  affectionately  thine, 
W.  H.  B. 


This  sending  of  packets  of  fish  to  relations  is  note- 
worthy as  an  example  of  present  giving  that  came  in 
with  railways.  For  before  their  date  certain  kinds  of 
fish  were  seldom  to  be  met  with  inland,  and  when 
attainable  were  generally  far  from  fresh. 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

23  GT.  PULTENEY  ST., 

16  Aug.,  45. 
My  dear  Jane, 

I  have  rather  a  disagreeable  misgiving  that  my 
fish  which  was  sent  by  7J  train  this  morning  was  a 
thought  shabby,  and  now  that  it  is  gone  I  feel  as  if  it 
ought  to  have  been  rather  handsomer.  Tell  me  your 
impression  when  you  see  it — that  I  may  judge  better 
another  time. 

I  have  looked  in  to  see  Thackeray  this  morning. 
He  has  a  box  of  grouse  and  bestows  a  brace  upon 
himself  and  me  at  his  chambers.  Perhaps  the  model 
you  hold  out  to  me,  Father  Prout,  may  be  there. 
A  very  nice  fellow — not  what  his  name  (a  sobriquet 
of  his  own  manufacture)  would  indicate  or  at  least  a 
good  deal  more.  A  clever  scholar  and  pleasant  com- 
panion and  not  indecorous.  I  think  I  shall  enjoy  my 
bit  of  game,  while  you  are  reddening  with  shame  at 
a  salmon  so  short  that  it  will  not  curl  into  an  S  but  only 
into  a  half  circle.  However,  lay  it  all  on  the  iniquitous 
fishmonger,  and  boldly  say  that  Shakespeare  was 

170 


A  TEMPTING  INVITATION 

mistaken  in  saying  "  I  would  you  were  as  honest  a 
Man." 

I  have  got  "Flower,  Fruit  and  Thorn  Pieces" — by 
Jean  Paul  Richter — well  translated  by  H.  E.  Noel. 
It  is  charming. 

Ever,  my  dear  Jenny, 

Yours  most  affectionately, 

W.  H.  BROOKFIELD. 

August  I6th.     [Diary.] 

Dined  with  Thackeray.     Mahony  came  in  afterwards. 

nth. 

Kinglake  here  in  the  evening.     Told  me  he  had  called 
in  our  absence  to  ask  us  to  whitebait  at  Greenwich  to 
meet  Mrs.  Norton,  Lady  Duff  Gordon,  Sidney  Herbert, 
Sir  Duff  Gordon  and  brother. 
18th. 

Thackeray  and  Milnes  dined  with  me  en  gar  con. 

Mrs.  to  Mr.  Brookfield  : 

HALBERTON  VICARAGE, 

17  Aug.,  1845. 
My  dearest  William, 

Thanks  manifold  for  your  kind  letters  of  this 
morning  and  yesterday.  I  am  sorry  to  say  the  fish 
has  not  yet  arrived.  The  guard  of  the  Railroad, 
Edward  says,  is  responsible  for  any  losses,  and  ought 
to  repay  the  value  of  the  fish  if  it  should  be  spoilt 
owing  to  his  overlooking  the  hamper.  The  Church 
Bells  have  been  and  are  pealing  in  honour  of  the  new 
Vicar  ;  he  seems  a  very  well-intentioned  young  man, 
and  his  wife  is  decidedly  pretty,  with  a  large  Somerset 
nose  ;  a  nice  person,  very  unaffected — a  shade  free 
and  easy,  but  it  seems  only  the  overflowing  of  an  open 

171 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

disposition.  Really  a  kind  person,  a  little  perplexed, 
perhaps,  on  some  subjects  of  a  controversial  nature, 
proclaiming  herself  very  near  a  Dissenter,  and  yet 
qualifying  the  assertion  with  being  so  entirely  of  one 
mind  with  the  Prayer  Book.  Mr.  N.  is  to  read  the  39 
Articles  in  Church  to-day,  and  therefore  intends  us  to 
do  without  a  morning  sermon.  Edward  has  an  entire 
holiday  as  it  is  the  necessary  form,  I  believe,  for  a  new 
Rector  to  swear  he  has  performed  a  full  service  in  read- 
ing himself  in.  He  rang  the  Church  Bell  yesterday, 
which  is  also  part  of  the  necessary  routine.  I  am 
delighted  to  say  the  Fish  has  just  arrived,  and  in  a  good 
state  of  preservation  being  pronounced  "  Beautiful, 
so  fine,"  etc.,  and  the  salmon  and  lobster  is  to  be  dressed 
to-day,  the  soles  to-morrow.  They  beg  most  enthu- 
siastic thanks  for  your  kindness  ;  I  have  seen  the 
Salmon  and  must  say  it  is  a  very  fine  one. 

We  have  been  to  morning  Church  and  heard  our 
39  Articles  and  I  fear  I  must  be  very  short  in  my  letter 
as  it  is  getting  on  for  afternoon  service  time.  I  thought 
Father  Prout  was  a  Roman  Catholic  Priest  who  only 
officiated  now  as  a  boon  companion  and  had  a  strong 
Irish  brogue  :  can  I  say  worse  of  him  ?  Mr.  N.  talks 
of  his  "  Patroness/'  Lady  Down,  as  "  My  Lady,"  and  so 
does  his  wife  (tho'  a  daughter  of  my  Lord  William's), 
perhaps  it  is  getting  the  fashion, — in  the  same  way  as 
bad  grammar  such  as  "  One  don't  "  and  "  Ain't  it." 

Well,  Good-bye,  my  love.  This  is  poor  gabble 
to-day,  but  it  is  the  best  I  can  do  for  you. 

God  bless  you, 

Your  loving  Wife, 

JANE. 

P.S. — You  seem  very  hand  in  glove  with  Thackeray ; 
don't  become  a  second  Father  Prout.  Unkind  to 
insult  you  with  these  words — but  they  are  to  be  taken 
with  a  lofty  smile. 

172 


'  FATHER  PROUT  "  AND  KINGLAKE 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

23  GT.  PULTENEY  ST., 

18  Aug.,  1845. 
My  dear  Wench, 

"  My  Lady "  is  certainly  droll.  The  39  articles 
must  have  been  a  trial,  I  think  then  if  never  before  you 
must  have  thought  them  38  too  many,  and  wished 
them  where  in  Lindley  Murray  days  one  wished  all 
other  articles  and  pronouns  and  participles ;  and  you 
must  have  devoutly  desired  that  the  reader  of  the 
same  would  make  haste  and  read  himself  out.  While 
I  was  eating  my  grou  (for,  as  Thackeray  expressed  it, 
we  had  one  grouse  apiece),  I  flattered  myself  that  my 
Lafarge  was  choking  herself  with  Salmon  bones,  but 
it  seems  that  my  pleasant  conjectures  on  the  subject 
hung  together  by  no  string  of  truth.  We  ate  our 
birds,  and  a  plum  dumpling,  then  set  in  for  serious 
smoking — and  Father  Prout  joined  at  our  Scheidam — 
but  as  we  retired  at  12,  Thackeray  truly  remarked — 
"  Well  you  have  neither  of  you  been  very  brilliant  to- 
night." 

Yesterday  I  did  the  whole  at  St.  Luke's,  preached 
p.m.  at  St.  James'  !  and  again  at  St.  Luke's.  In  the 
p.m.  I  saw  Cockrane  and  his  (Frederika)  Bride  come 
in,  but  at  Sermon  I  missed  them  and  thought  they 
must  have  gone  out  again.  There  were,  moreover, 
Gladstone,  Mrs.  Pearson  and  Elliot.  At  six  o'clock 
who  should  step  in  but  Eothen.  I  joined  him  after 
Evening  Church  to  call  on  T.  but  as  he  was  out  (on 
crutches,  I  suppose),  we  came  here  and  pilled  till  after 
12.  He  is  going  to  Algiers  to-morrow.  I  suppose 
chiefly  to  see  a  country  in  an  actual  state  of  war,  and 
the  French  army  at  work.  He  will  be  back  before 
November  "  D.V."  He  came  in  our  absence  to  invite 
us  to  eat  whitebait  at  Greenwich,  it  being  his  party — 
to  meet  Mrs.  Norton,  Lady  Duff-Gordon,  Sir  Duff  ditto, 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

Sidney  Herbert  (Lady  Bruce's  brother),  and  perhaps 
Milnes. 

I  should  have  gone  to  a  dead  certainty ;  and 
Kinglake  vows  that  there  was  nothing  to  hinder  you 
going  (for  I  expressed  my  doubt)  or  nothing  would  have 
induced  him  to  ask  you  (which  of  course  he  would  not) 
— that  she  visits  everywhere — and  he  himself  believes 
nothing  against  her.  Perhaps  she  would  be  described 
as  "  decidedly  pretty  with  a  Somerset  nose,  a  nice 
person,  very  unaffected,  and  a  shade  free  and  easy,  but 
it  seems  only  the  overflowing  of  an  open  disposition." 
Kinglake  was  very  agreeable — took  occasion  to  remark 
that  I  had  been  very  happy  in  my  marriage  (I  sighed 
like  Billy  Pearson  and  said  "  Ah,  you  don't  know, 
old  fellow  ")  that  you  appeared  to  have  a  perfect  tem- 
per, and  to  "  fall  in  to  my  batchelor  ways."  Thackeray 
observed  on  Saturday  night  that  you  had  the  sweetest 
voice  he  ever  heard.  And  now,  you  wretch,  have  I 
told  you  enough  ?  I  don't  know  what  mischief  I 
haven't  done  by  repeating  men's  praises  of  you — a 
thing  I  generally  studiously  avoid.  They  are  both 
coming  to  munch  here  at  7.  The  humblest  dinner. 
2  Haddocks,  2  roast  pigeons,  a  loin  of  mutton,  a  plum 
tart,  Potatoes,  and  French  beans,  and  cheese. 

I  have  a  line  this  morning  from  W.  B.     No  symp- 
toms of  low  spirits.     No,  Madonna  !     No  go  ! 
God  bless  thee. 

Ever  most  affectionately, 

W.  H.  BROOKFIELD, 

From  H.  F.  Hallam  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

WRAXALL, 

1st  Sept.,  1845. 
My  dear  Jane, 

Many  thanks  for  your  yesterday's  observations 
which  did  equal  credit  to  your  head  and  heart.  I 

174 


SIR  CHARLES  ELTON 

mention  the  former  organ  because  in  a  numerous  family 
not,  I  believe,  generally  distinguished  for  mental 
incapacity,  you  are  the  only  one  who  has  had  the 
discernment  to  offer  your  good  wishes  on  the  right 
day,  everybody  else  having  contented  themselves 
with  imprecating  on  me  an  impossibility,  that  is  "  many 
happy  returns  of  "  the  attainment  of  my  majority. 
The  proceedings  of  Saturday  having  been  detailed  in 
the  Wraxall  Mercury  and  Nailsea  Free  Press,  I  shall 
merely  copy  its  remarks. 

"  Never,"  says  that  ably  conducted  journal,  "  has  it 
been  our  lot  to  record  the  congregation  of  such  a  galaxy 
of  fashion  as  was  concentrated  in  our  town  on  Saturday 
last.  The  spirited  Capitalist  who  has  recently  settled 
in  our  neighbourhood  with  a  view  to  introduce  into  these 
remote  parts  the  agricultural  science  already  diffused 
in  Knightsbridge,  gave  on  that  day  an  entertainment 
to  commemorate  the  majority  of  his  son.  From  an 
early  hour  the  excitement  prevailing  in  the  district 
might  be  called  alarming.  The  painful  loss  in  Mr.  H.'s 
family  to  which  we  recently  had  the  sad  duty  of 
adverting,  gave  additional  interest  to  the  proceedings.* 
It  was  supposed  that  the  village  bells  would  have  been 
rung  on  the  occasion,  but  on  the  subject  being  hinted 
to  the  young  gentleman,  he  replied,  as  we  are  given 
to  understand,  with  astonishing  firmness  '  that  it  was 
impossible  to  eat  one's  cake  and  have  it/  so  that  the 
proposal  was  instantly  abandoned.  After  dinner  Sir 
Charles  Elton,  a  near  relative  of  the  party  who  attained 
his  majority,  came  forward  in  the  handsomest  manner 
and  proposed  his  health  in  a  series  of  remarks  which,  to 
use  the  words  of  our  contemporary,  the  Clevedon 
Vindicator,  were  '  alike  honourable  to  the  magistrate, 

*  The  death  of  the  horse  mentioned  in  Mrs.  Brookfield's  letter  of 
5th  August. 

175 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

the  poet,  and  the  baronet.'  In  the  evening  dancing 
commenced,  whilst  Mrs.  Elton  presided  at  the  piano. 
Amidst  the  gay  group  gallant  Commodore  Elton  was 
generally  admired  for  the  breadth  and  body  of  colour- 
ing by  which  his  execution  of  a  Polka  was  distinguished, 
though  in  our  opinion  more  praise  was  merited  by  the 
chiaroscuro  of  the  Dowager  Lady  Elton's  movements 
as  she  figured  in  the  Cellarino.  Our  reporter  left  at 
a  late  hour,  when  it  was  supposed  that  the  son  of 
Neptune  had  retired  with  his  young  relative  to  enjoy 
a  cigar.  He  is  said  to  inherit  his  father's  passion  for 
agricultural  pursuits,  and  should  our  report  prove 
true,  we  congratulate  him  on  his  choice." 

Thus  far  the  parochial  penny-a-liner  whose  accu- 
racy may  be  relied  on. 

I  was  considerably  interested  in  knowing  that  you 
liked  Richter's  "  Flower  and  Fruit,"  etc.  To  say  the 
truth,  I  had  intended  to  present  you  a  copy  of  it,  if 
you  would  have  accepted  it,  on  my  going  to  town.  If 
you  have  bought  it  already,  and  not  had  it  merely 
from  a  circulating  library,  I  shall  give  the  copy  intended 
for  you  to  the  first  person  who  can  appreciate  it.  I 
think  it  is  worth  more  than  an  ephemeral  notice. 
It  is  a  great  favourite  of  mine,  from  its  wonderful 
humour  and  the  vividness  of  character,  though  perhaps 
the  denouement  of  the  plot  (a  husband  shamming 
death  that  his  wife  may  commit  bigamy)  is  hardly 
up  to  the  high-water  mark  of  English  morality. 

Pray  convey  every  expression  of  congratulation 
and  kind  wishes  pilsome  and  unpilsome  to  Brookfield, 
who  will  be  glad  to  hear  that  to  crown  all  our  mis- 
fortunes, my  father's  new  horse  for  which  he  gave 
£40  a  fortnight  ago  since  has  fallen  (me  riding)  and 
cut  his  knee  so  badly  that  he  will  be  sold  for  nothing. 
Ever  your  affectionate  cousin, 

H.  F.  HALLAM. 
176 


WITH  THACKERAY  AT  BRIGHTON 
Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

54  GRAND  PARADE, 
BRIGHTON, 

8  Sep.,  1845. 
My  dear  Jane, 

It  will,  I  know,  afford  you  a  lively  pleasure,  which 
I  would  be  the  last  to  withhold  from  you,  to  be  apprised 
that  I  did  not  reach  the  coach  office  this  morning  until 
the  omnibus  had  retired  from  that  scene  of  bustling 
animation.  I,  therefore,  took  a  Cab — for  which  I  was 
charged  2d.  under  the  fare — and  got  off  all  in  good  time 
and  reached  this  scene  of  Royal  Aquatics  at  10  a.m. 
Mr.  Thackeray  was  drawing  on  wood  at  his  window, 
and  fortunately  had  not  yet  taken  that  cheerful  and, 
to  me,  most  welcome  meal  by  which  the  day  is  usually 
auspicated.  Shrimps,  whiting  that  but  erewhile  had 
toppled  in  the  azure  deep — eggs  but  recently  extorted 
from  the  domestic  fowl,  and  unexceptionable  bread  and 
butter.  A  cigar — with  that  lucid  organ  of  liberal 
sentiment  the  Chronicle  and  its  admirable  contemporary 
the  Times,  succeeded  this  hospitable  repast,  and  pre- 
pared the  way  for  a  lounge  upon  the  beach  of  the  blue 
element  which  lips  the  shores  of  Brighthelmstone  like 
a  lover.  Mr.  Thackeray  occupied  a  few  moments  by 
committing  to  his  sketch  book  some  of  the  groups  which 
throng  this  lively  and  diversified  locality,  and  I 
accompanied  the  strokes  of  his  pencil  with  such  observ- 
ations as  seemed  appropriate.  I  have  since  then 
perambulated  the  margin  of  the  pebbly  main  alone 
while  Mr.  T.  has  been  earning  a  little  dinner  for  us  by 
his  fluent  pen.  The  multiform  and  important  business 
by  which  I  have  been  engrossed  throughout  the  day 
has  left  me  but  a  few  moments  for  these  hurried 
accents ;  and  as  we  are  now  proceeding  to  partake 
of  frugal  repast  at  the  "  Star  and  Garter  " — a  3rd  rate 

177 

13— (2309) 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

but  highly  respectable  house  of  public  entertainment, 
I  must  bid  you  now  farewell. 

Ever,  my  dear  Jane, 

Yours  most  affectionately, 

W.  H.  BROOKFIELD. 


September  30th  the  diary  tells  that  "  Ward  called 
p.m.  to  discuss  the  Deanery  of  Lincoln.  Worldlier 
talk  was  never  heard  from  a  stockjobber.  Afterwards 
A.  Tennyson  came  in  with  a  letter  from  Hallam 
enclosing  one  from  Sir  Robert  Peel,  offering  a  pension 
of  £200  a  year  to  Alfred.  Alfred  dined  and  Walpole 
came  in  to  smoke." 

Concerning  this  pension  everyone  of  the  "  Set " 
wrote  their  satisfaction  in  the  event  to  Brookfield — 
the  only  dissentient  being  Monteith,  who  said,  "  With 
all  proper  Apostolic-partizanship,  all  hearty  admiration 
of  Alfred's  poetry,  in  which  I  do  not  think  any  could 
go  further,  I  have  a  sense  of  the  ludicrous  in  his  snug 
pension  of  £200  per  annum."  This  system  of  writing 
to  Brookfield  whenever  anything  happened  to  the  poet 
dates  from  early  college  days.  Tennyson's  career  was 
followed  closely  from  the  start  by  sanguine  friends  who 
never  failed  to  extend  to  him  their  enthusiastic  admira- 
tion and  encouragement ;  and  who,  whenever  a  poem 
appeared,  wrote  comments  upon  it  to  each  other, 
discussing  it  line  by  line,  sympathetically  criticising, 
and  invariably  finding  beauty  throughout  it.  Mr. 
Brookfield  himself  saw  many  of  the  poems  while  still 
incomplete,  and  Tennyson  brought  to  him  the  proofs  of 
the  "  Princess,"  over  the  punctuation  of  which  they 

178 


AT  ALFRED  TENNYSON'S 

together  worked.      "  What   a   fine   thing  Alfred  has 
written  "  was  the  theme  of  many  a  letter. 


October  8th.     [Diary.] 

To  Alfred  Tennyson's.  Wigan  and  his  wife,  Tom 
Taylor,  and  Bentinck  dined  there.  I  home  at  six  to 
dinner.  Thackeray  came  in  to  dine  and  stayed  till 

half-past  ten.  We  were  to  have  gone  to  the  G 's, 

but  Jane  was  ill  and  Thackeray  kept  on  with  me. 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

23  GT.  PULTENEY  ST., 
LONDON, 

30  October,  1845. 
My  dear  Jane, 

The  enormous  mail  that  is  inclosed  will  render  a 
long  letter  from  me  almost  as  needless  as  it  would  be 
difficult  to  myself,  time  having  already  with  his  wing 
brushed  the  very  edges  of  the  letter  box,  which,  I 
suppose,  is  the  very  worst  attempt  at  a  poetical  mode 
of  saying  that  it  is  near  post  time  as  was  ever 
employed. 

Well,  we  dined  agreeably  enough  at  old  A.'s 
yesterday — but  somehow  there  is  and  must  be  rather 
a  want  of  brilliancy  there.  However,  it  is  very  wicked 
to  say  so  as  it  is  to  say  many  other  things  that  are 
quite  true.  I  sate  two  hours  with  Thackeray  after- 
wards. He  brought  back  his  poor  little  wife  yesterday 
— she  is  at  Camberwell  and  he  seems  well  pleased  with 
the  people.  I  just  now  saw  the  R.C.  Bishop  of  London 
get  out  of  an  Omnibus  in  Piccadilly — seize  his  carpet 
bag  and  trudge  straight  home  with  it  to  Golden  Square. 
He  had  a  blue  cloak,  but  it  hung  below  the  skirts, 

179 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

and  on  he  went.  A  very  pleasing,  venerable,  episcopal 
looking  man,  very  like  any  other  Bishop — save  that 
none  of  ours  would  touch  a  carpet  bag  with  his  little 
finger. 

God  bless  you, 

Ever  most  affectionately  yours, 

W.  H.  BROOKFIELD. 

A  good  Thackeray  in  the  Times  to-day  from  Punch 
— called  '*  Jeames  on  Time  Bargains." 


Mr.  Brookfield  no  doubt  also  mentioned  meeting 
the  R.C.  Bishop  to  Lord  Lyttelton,  for  that  gentleman 
writes  back  : 

HAGLEY, 

31  Oct.,  1845. 
Pleasant  Presbyter  and  Future  Bishop, 

We  wag  smoothly  here  wife  and  baby  and  the  rest, 
which  I  beg  you  to  announce  at  Paul's  Cross. 

I  wish  they  would  divide  St.  James'  as  they  did 
St.  George's  for  many  reasons.  St.  Luke's  ought  to 
be  made  marriageable  which  I  calculate  would  bring 
a  Jupiter  Shower  of  gold  to  you  to  the  amount  of  at 
least  £150  a  year.  I  would  then  call  it  St.  Luke's, 
Gretna  Green  St.,  instead  of  Berwick  Street,  which 
geographically  I  imagine  would  do  well  enough. 

No  doubt  your  carpet  bag,  Vicar  Apostolic,  is 
joining  in  the  Papal  cackling  all  over  England  at  their 
New  Man.  It  makes  me  very  savage  to  hear  their 
exultings.  I  hope  you  spout  effectually  for  S.P.G. 

Triumphantly  spout !     Spout  for  Hawkins  and  for  Pagan 
Star  of  the  Provinces !     Sun  of  the  Town  ! 
For  the  colonist  distant,  the  uncivilized  Pagan, 
Earn  peripatetic  rhetorical  crown  ! 

1 80 


LORD  LYTTELTON'S  BANTER 

They  have  put  forth  a  comfortable  report.  What 
of  Sam  Sly,  the  Bishop  ?  What  of  Bishop  Bagot  of 
Bath  (B.  and  W.)  ?  What  of  Ward,  the  dean  ?  What 
of  Bill  Brookfield,  of  Berwick  Street  ?  What  of  his 
wife  ?  What  of  her  sister  ? 

Yours  ever, 

LYTTELTON. 


181 


CHAPTER    VI 

Travelling  with  the  Hallams.  Travesty  of  a  Sermon  by  Wilber- 
force.  Peel.  Dinners  at  Kensington  with  Titmarsh.  Blunder  in 
Punch.  Carlyle's  Humour.  Forster  and  Dickens.  Rogers. 
Wilberforce's  Speech  on  the  Sugar  Bill  humorously  considered. 
Harry  Hallam.  Moxon  and  Tennyson.  Dinner  at  the  Garrick. 
Rules  for  Writing  Abroad.  A  Fair  Objector.  A  Preaching  Mission 
for  the  S.P.G.  Browning's  Marriage.  Tennyson's  Hair. 

In  1846  Mrs.  Brookfield  took  the  place  of  her  sister, 
the  one  who  usually  accompanied  the  Hallams  on  their 
frequent  journeys  abroad,  and  went  with  them  the 
Grand  Tour. 

Unfortunately,  the  sprightly  letters  of  quite  unusual 
interest,  which  she  then  wrote  were  totally  destroyed 
in  the  fire  at  Clevedon  Court  in  1882,  together  with 
many  valuable  books  and  manuscripts.  (Her  brother, 
Sir  Arthur  Elton,  had  borrowed  them,  saying  "  I 
trust  in  your  amiability  to  lend  them,  you  ever  were 
the  sweetest  tempered  of  women.") 

The  party,  which  started  late  in  June,  consisted  of 
the  Historian,  his  daughter  Julia,  his  son  Harry,  his 
niece  Jane  Brookfield,  a  maid,  a  valet,  and  a  courier ; 
and,  as  Mr.  Brookfield  said  to  his  wife,  "  It  would  be 
difficult  to  find  a  party  better  balanced  for  the  best 
kind  of  enjoyment." 

The  following  incident  of  that  journey  Mrs.  Brook- 
field  often  described.  They  arrived  one  evening  at  a 
village  in  Switzerland  where  they  had  proposed  to 
stay  the  night,  but  found  the  only  Inn  in  the  place 

182 


Alfred,  Lord  Tennyson 

From  a  photograph  by  Mrs.  Cameron 


1  r  civ  ell  i . 
force.     P 
Punch. 
VVilhi 

Harry  Hallar 
Rules  for  Wri 


.ind 


lour. 


}K  trie  place  Of 

rued  the  Hallams  on  their 
went  with  them  the 


stay 


jht,  h 


Irs.  Brook- 
nc  evening  at  a 
iey  had  proposed  to 
i^ltt%e  place 


^TO&nt, 


HALLAM  AS  A  GOOD  SAMARITAN 

in  flames.  The  postillion  reassured  them  and  told 
them  of  an  excellent  halting-place  a  few  miles  further 
on.  They  remained  for  a  little  while,  however,  to 
admire  the  awful  grandeur  of  the  conflagration. 
Presently  they  noticed,  apart  from  the  excited  groups 
of  villagers,  one  who  had  the  appearance  of  an  English 
gentleman.  He  was  evidently  in  great  distress,  so 
Mr.  Hallam  got  down  from  the  carriage,  raised  his  hat, 
and  enquired  what  ailed  him.  "  All  my  effects,  my 
luggage,  my  money,  and  letters  of  credit  are  consumed 
in  yonder  fire,"  exclaimed  the  stranger.  "It  is  most 
important  that  I  should  get  on  to  Genoa,  my  destina- 
tion, but  how  to  do  this  without  money  I  cannot  con- 
ceive." Without  a  moment's  hesitation  Mr.  Hallam 
produced  his  note  case,  and  in  the  tone  of  one  asking 
a  favour,  proffered  a  bank-note.  "Sir,"  said  he,  "  if 
an  hundred  pounds  is  of  any  use  to  you,  it  is  very  much 
at  your  service."  The  offer  was  gratefully  accepted, 
and  in  a  few  weeks  the  money  was  repaid.  And  every 
Christmas  afterwards  until  Mr.  Hallam's  death  he 
received  from  the  gentleman  he  had  assisted  a  large 
Norfolk  turkey  in  memory  of  his  kindness. 

Although  generous,  Mr.  Hallam  was  somewhat  of 
a  martinet,  and  he  expected  his  young  people  to  be  as 
regular  in  their  habits  as  he.  When  they  suggested 
luncheon  baskets  to  him,  he  would  look  at  them 
with  the  "  large  eyes  "  which  his  son  Harry  affirmed 
to  be  the  "  Hallam  habit  "  when  surprised,  and  say, 
'  What  need  of  luncheon  baskets  ?  It  is  all  arranged. 
We  breakfast  at  such  a  place,  and  we  dine  when  we 
reach  our  destination  at  night.  What  can  anyone 

183 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

want  more  ?  "  As  long  as  they  could,  the  younger 
travellers  held  out,  but  the  mountain  air  became 
at  last  too  much  for  youthful  appetites,  and  finally 
Harry,  with  joy  not  unmixed  with  trepidation,  inge- 
niously arranged  for  secret  meals.  Some  finesse  was 
naturally  necessary,  and  while  one  of  them  was  got 
into  the  rumble  where  he  or  she  ate  what  seemed 
at  the  moment  to  be  the  most  delicious  of  food,  another 
would  keep  the  Historian's  attention  engaged  upon 
the  prospect.  Each  in  turn  performed  this  office 
for  the  others. 

The  arrival  of  Mr.  Brookfield's  letters,  which  at  that 
time  almost  entirely  took  the  form  of  diaries,  was  not 
amongst  the  least  joyous  episodes  of  their  travels, 
and  they  run  as  follows  : 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

1st  July,  1846. 
My  dear  Jane, 

Two  things  seem  to  me  more  doubtful  than 
purgatory,  viz.,  whether  I  shall  ever  reach  the  end  of 
this  sheet  and  whether  this  sheet  will  ever  reach  you. 
At  nine  on  Sunday  morning  I  arose,  schooled,  preached 
the  first  of  the  discourses  begun  last  night,  and  between 
services  finished  the  other  which  I  preached  at  night. 
In  afternoon  Episcopus  Sly  preached.  Text  :  "I  ask 
nothing  before  the  time."  The  gist  of  the  sermon, 
which  was  as  clever  and  adroit  as  possible,  was  this. 
A  day  is  coming  when  motives  will  be  revealed.  In 
this  life  our  words  deceive  others,  our  feelings,  ourselves, 
even  our  actions,  deceive.  But  in  the  last  day  motives 
will  be  manifested.  It  will  then  be  found  that  our 
calculations  about  character  and  sincerity,  etc.,  have 

184 


A  DRY  VERDICT 

been  utterly  erroneous.  That  many  a  one  whose 
actions  have  borne  the  semblance  of  self-denial  even 
to  martyrdom  (Newman,  Pusey,  Keble,  etc.),  have 
been  actuated  by  spleen  or  vanity,  or  obstinacy  or 
what  not,  while  many  a  one  whose  duty  has  happened 
to  run  parallel  with  his  self  interest,  who  has  appeared 
worldly  minded  and  insincere  has  in  reality  been  solely 
influenced  by  faith  and  love,  etc.  In  short,  though 
you  think  me  Sly  I  am  no  such  thing,  though  you 
think  I  like  Champagne  and  Court  ladies  and  palaces 
and  arch  mitres,  it  is  all  a  mistake, — these  just  happen- 
ing to  fall  into  my  lap.  I  like  none  of  them,  and  only 
use  them  for  the  extension  of  religion. 

However,  it  was  a  very  able  sermon  and  I  am 
chiefly  afraid  I  shall  be  imitating  his  tones  and  looks 
next  Sunday. 

Lyttelton  came  in  after  afternoon  Church.  By 
the  way,  fancy  Lady  L.  (the  dowager)  saying  to  me 
the  other  day  with  her  placid  voice  "  Do  you  know, 
I  never  could  bear  the  Bishop  of  Oxford."  Her  "never 
could  bearing  "  anybody  !  Sweet,  kindly  soul. 

Monday  29th.  Feast  of  St.  Peter.  Oh !  Hark 
back.  On  Sunday,  Mrs.  Abbot  asked  after  you.  I 
replied  "  I  daresay  at  this  very  moment  she  is  looking 
at  the  bones  of  the  Magi  in  the  Cathedral  at  Cologne." 
She  took  it  for  banter  just  as  if  I  had  charged  you 
with  going  off  with  a  Hungarian  officer,  and  answered 
laughing  and  shaking  her  head  "  Oh,  I  am  sure  Mrs. 
Brookfield  would  not  go  there  to-day."  "Hookey!" 
thought  I.  Well,  St.  Peter's  day.  .  .  . 

Peel  is  out  as  belike  you  know,  and  (a  rare  thing) 
was  almost  torn  in  pieces  by  acclamations  of  popularity 
on  leaving  the  house  on  Monday,  when  his  resignation 
was  known. 

I  hope  you  will  enjoy  your  touring  very  much,  and 
write  so  new  a  book  upon  old  subjects  as  shall  set 

185 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

London  and  New  York  alight ;  make  Lady  Duff-Gordon 
swallow  poison  with  envy  ;  make  Tennyson,  Thacke- 
ray, Spring  Rice,  Captain  Codrington,  Edward  Dean, 
Jeemes  Spedding,  Venables,  Kinglake,  and  the  Bullers 
drown  themselves  for  distracted  love,  and  Mrs.  Wick- 
ham  send  her  carriage  for  you  to  go  and  dine  with 
them. 

I  do  not  remember  that  I  ever  performed  a  feat 
so  creditable  to  my  head  or  heart  as  this  clean,  neat- 
looking  letter.  I  would  give  anything  (except  the 
money  and  the  time)  to  sit  down  with  you  at  some 
table  d'hote,  or  any  other  table  suddenly.  I  liked  your 
letter  much.  Your  meek  monks,  your  gliding  priests, 
your  vulgar  grandees.  Ha  !  Ha  ! 

God  bless  thee. 
July  8th. 

At  the  Gurney's.     A  new  dish  to-day  was  a  clear 
jelly  with  two  gold  fish  wriggling  about  in  it ;   after- 
wards people  went  off  to  Vauxhall. 
9th. 

At  1 .30  Lyttelton  came  for  a  walk.  I  showed  your 
portrait  as  Richmond's.  He  said  it  was  nice  but  not 
perfect.  Then  I  undeceived  him. 

It  was  about  this  picture  that  Mr.  Brookfield  said  he 
wanted  the  opinion  upon  it  "of  Thackeray  or  some 
other  artist,"  but  all  Thackeray  said  of  it  was  "  It 
was  devilish  nice,  but  not  a  favourable  likeness." 
It  was  a  picture  of  Laurence's. 

14th. 

I  was  interested  in  your  Promenades,  your  conver- 
sations haus,  and  be  hanged  to  you.  Your  George, 
Prince  of  Wales,  James  and  the  convent.  The  Gods, 
Herzog  and  the  "  ambling  hunchback  "  (the  best  word 

1 86 


JOHN  LEECH 

that  could  have  been  used  but  I  wished  the  letter  twice 

as  long). 

15th. 

At  eight  thirty  I  ascended  a  'bus  and  proceeded  to  the 
hospitable  mansion  of  Mr.  Titmarsh  at  Kensington, 
where  I  had  been  asked  to  dine  but  was  at  Church 
instead.  There  were  Harness,  Sir  Carmichael  Smith,* 
Kinglake,  T.'s  brother-in-law,  Shaw ;  Leech,  who  does 
the  large  pictures  in  Punch,  a  very  gentlemanly,  modest, 
pleasing  fellow.  The  evening  was  pleasant  but  lacked 
fire,  I  think,  yet  altogether  a  very  tolerable  conversa- 
tions haus. 
llth. 

While  Miss  Fanshawe  was  here  yesterday  Thackeray 
came,  and  off  we  toddled  to  the  City  and  dined  on  boiled 
beef.  Coming  home,  seeing  acquaintances  of  his  at 
a  window  of  the  Garrick,  we  went  in  for  half  an  hour. 

Presently  he  recollected  that  he  had  made  a  great 
blunder  in  Punch  for  the  coming  week,  and  must  be  off 
to  the  office  to  correct  it,  and  at  eight  we  separated. 
18th. 

As  soon  as  my  letters  were  written  I  hurried  to  a 
Committee  at  London  Library.  Present  MILMAN, 
Bunsen,  Forster  (our  host),  Milnes,  Lewis,  somebody 
else,  and  Carlyle.  There  was  lots  of  fun,  Carlyle  being 
the  chief  lever  who  upraised  it  all  directly  or  indirectly. 
It  was  very  amusing,  but  I  had  to  hurry  away  at 
quarter  to  six  to  dress  for  Fagan's  at  six. 
23rd. 

At  eleven  to  Miss  Coutts'  :  "  she  had  taken  the 
liberty  to  insert  Mrs.  Brookfield's  name  in  the  invita- 
tion/' to  which  what  could  a  polite  preacher  say  but 
that  his  only  consolation  was  that  Mrs.  B.  could  not 
at  her  painful  distance  know  the  bliss  she  was  losing 

*  Major  Carmichael  Smyth,  Thackeray's  step-father. 

187 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

by  zig-zagging  on  the  Continent  with  Mr.  H.  "  Oh, 
Mr.  Hallam  is  gone,  is  he  ?  "  As  if  she  knew  or  was 
interested  in  the  said  Historiographer.  There  were 
numbers  there.  The  Hoares,  Claud  Hamilton,  John 
Manners,  Gladstone,  and  the  Duke,*  looking  not  as 
in  the  street,  insolent,  and  odious,  but  nice,  kindly, 
pleasant  and  very  well.  I  expect  I  shall  go  again 
next  Thursday. 

Write  on.     Nothing  could  be  possibly  better  than 
the  "Jew  and  Jewess  gorging,  then  sitting  like  ravens 
on  a  perch  cursing  you  Gentiles." 
Aug.  6th. 

Committee  of  London  Library. 

Forster  told  me  Dickens  had  written  him  from  Lau- 
zanne  that  he  had  met  Hallam's  party.  Hallam  in 
great  force.  And  a  lady  of  remarkable,  etc.,  etc.  He 
did  not  know  her  name,  "  but,"  said  Forster,  "  I  have 
enlightened  him  upon  that  point." 
8th. 

Andrewes  ill.     Began  to  take  his  duty  in  the  House 
of  Commons. 
1111, 

Turned  with  the  Goddards  into  the  Green  Park 
after  p.m.  service  and  found  old  Rogers  quite  alone. 
He  asked  immediately  after  you,  and  in  the  course 
of  chaff  said  to  Mrs.  G.,  pointing  at  me  "  You  see  what 
an  inconvenience  it  is  to  be  married  to  an  Angel  before 
his  time."  Alfred  Tennyson  and  "  Mester  Muxon  " 
are  off  to  Switzerland.  I  am  going  to  dine  with 
Pollock  to-night  to  meet  the  chief  baron  and  Titmarsh, 
whom  I  have  not  seen  for  nearly  a  month.  I  don't 
think  I  sent  you  Forster 's  most  chivalrously  ex- 
pressed remembrances  to  you.  I  dare  say  we  shall 
have  a  pleasant  evening.  I  cannot  get  out  of  my 

*  The  Duke  of  Wellington. 
1 88 


THE  GILDED  CHAMBER 

head  that  Thackeray  insists  upon  it  that  Mrs.  X. 
beats  X.  There  seems  a  sort  of  droll  probability  in 
the  improbability. 

Walking  the  other  day  with  an  absent-minded 
friend,  Rogers  told  him  how  a  lady,  half  recognising 
him  the  day  before  had  asked  him  "  Isn't  your  name 
Rogers  ?  "  "  And  was  it  ?  "  asked  the  absent  one. 


I  went  yesterday  to  the  Lords.  Sam  had  taken 
care  to  give  notice  that  he  meant  to  pill,  and  a  regular 
gilt  bolus  was  therefore  to  be  expected.  Nevertheless 
there  was  no  cram.  He  duly  rose  and  said  it  was  an 
infinite  bore  to  him  to  oppose  any  government,  still 
more  the  present  government,  for  he  thought  they 
might  have  an  opportunity  of  sending  him  to  Lambeth  ; 
and  indeed  he  hoped  they  would  still  be  able  to  do 
so,  for  he  thought  they  were  most  excellent  conscien- 
tious people,  and  he  would  not  have  said  a  word  against 
their  sugar  bill,  but  as  his  opposition  would  do  no  harm 
(for  he  knew  their  measure  would  be  carried),  and  as 
he  merely  wished  to  say  a  few  popular  things  about 
Slavery,  he  hoped  they  would  excuse  him  making  a 
smart  speech,  and  not  think  his  willingness  that 
poorer  people  than  himself  should  drink  their  tea 
without  sugar,  an  objection  to  his  being  made  an 
Archbishop.  He  said  that  their  making  a  free  trade 
in  sugar  would  be  making  a  free  trade  in  Blacks,  a 
trade  which  would  by  no  means  be  free  to  them.  He 
did  not  mention  that  the  stimulus  of  Free  Trade 
accompanying  and  facilitating  the  spread  of  humaniz- 
ing principles  would  perhaps  strike  out  some  better 
way  of  producing  sugar  than  flogging  Blacks,  and  that 
the  impediments  to  the  slave  trade  would  be  kept  up 
in  proportionate  activity,  and  that  perhaps  even  the 
Blacks  would  learn  to  stick  up  for  themselves.  In 
fact,  he  merely  wished  to  make  a  speech  and  he  did 

189 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

so.  It  fell  very  flat,  there  was  not  a  single  cheer 
from  beginning  to  end.  It  was  an  hour  long. 
Then  up  gets  the  Bishop  of  London,  whose  lot  it 
is  always  to  follow.  He  puffed  Sam  and  seconded 
his  amendment,  but  the  Bill  he  snubbed,  he 
likewise,  no  less  than  his  Right  Reverend  Brother, 
being  no  ways  unwilling  that  the  inferior  clergy 
should  go  without  sugar  if  they  found  it  too 
dear  under  the  present  restrictions.  The  Marquis 
of  Lansdowne  then  rose  and  said  that  Sam  Wilber- 
force  had  an  hereditary  right  to  be  heard  about  niggers 
but  that  he  (the  noble  Marquis)  had  the  honour  to  be 
Godfather  to  a  young  gent  who  was  of  more  value 
than  many  niggers.*  Their  Lordships  need  not  be 
reminded  that  he  alluded  to  a  party  now  relaxing  amid 
the  stupendous  scenery  of  the  Tyrol  from  the  exertions 
which  had  won  for  him  the  brightest  decorations  of 
a  University  the  reverse  of  that  which  enjoyed  the 
episcopal  superintendence  of  the  Right  Reverend  Pre- 
late, and  he  was  no  less  anxious  that  this  academical 
phenomenon  should  enjoy  his  eau  sucre  upon  a  more 
reasonable  scale  of  tariff  than  the  Right  Reverend  Pre- 
late could  be,  and  that  the  negro  should  eat  each  other 
up  upon  the  shores  of  Africa  instead  of  earning  an 
honest  and  secure  and  fat  and  comfortable  livelihood 
upon  the  cane  lands  of  Cuba  or  chaunting  "  Buffalo 
Gals"  and  "Lucy  Neal "  in  the  fertile  plains  of  the 
Brazils,  etc. 

And  the  Bill  was  passed. 

Arriving  at  S.P.G.  (lately)  a  quarter  of  an  hour 
too  early  for  a  meeting  I  found  Robert  Montgomery 

*  This  was  a  playful  allusion  to  Henry  Fitzmaurice  Hallam, 
who  was  godson  to  Lord  Lansdowne,  and  who  had  taken  his  degree 
the  previous  January,  being  among  the  Senior  Optimes  in  the 
Mathematical  Tripos,  and  second  Chancellor's  medallist. 

IQO 


AT  THE  GARRICK  CLUB 

already  there — alone — leaning  in  one  of  the  window 
places.  I  did  not  know  him,  but  he  soon  put  an  end 
to  our  defect  of  acquaintance.  He  gave  me  a  good 
deal  of  his  persona'  history — and  ended  by  telling 
me  that  he  had  good  hopes  of  a  chapel  being  built 
for  him  at  the  West  End  of  London — adding  "  And 
I  can't  help  thinking  that  I  could  adapt  the  Gospel 
to  the  West  End." 
IQOf. 

I  feel  very  great  delight  in  thinking  of  you  larking 
about  and  taking  your  pastime.  I  don't  think  I  have 
ever  known  anyone  fitter  to  enjoy  it,  I  don't  think 
you  could  possibly  have  taken  a  more  varied  and 
experimental  route,  and  it  is  quite  impossible  that 
you  could  ever  have  gone  in  more  satisfactory  com- 
pany. I  do  not  see  one  single  thing  to  be  wished  for, 
except  for  myself,  viz.,  that  I  were  with  you. 

After  calling  on  Andrewes,  who  was  starting  for 
Canterbury,  I  went  to  the  House  of  Commons.  Then 
to  Kensington  to  call  on  Thackeray.  Returning  I 
met  "  Musses  Muxen."  Master  Moxon  and  Alfred  are 
this  day  at  Geneva,  and  as  the  latter,  indeed  both,  are 
among  your  seven  hundred  and  ninety-nine  lovers,  I 
should  think  they  would  be  trying  to  meet  you.  .  . 
if  the  indolence  of  Alfred  was  not  the  safeguard  of  your 
virtue. 
19th. 

House  of  Commons.  Home  to  write  sermon  in 
evening,  then  called  on  Mrs.  Procter,  but  can't 
remember  anything  that  was  said.  They  have  only 
asked  me  once  since  you  went,  so  that  I  do  not  seem 
in  very  high  favour.  After  Church  I  went  to  the 
Garrick  (not  the  "  Garrick's  Head  "  where  the  black- 
guard Judge  and  Jury  is  held  that  Harry  took  some 
Bishop  to)  to  meet  Procter,  Kenyon,  and  Browning 
whom  Thackeray  had  asked  me  to  meet  there.  A 

191 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

very  pleasant  evening  with  several  "  Sallies  "  which 
compelled  three  pilling  looking  gents  who  were  dining 
at  an  adjoining  table  to  pause  every  now  and  then 
from  their  own  stale  conversation  and  listen  devoutly 
to  ours.  Home  and  a  cigar  with  W.  M.  T. 
20th. 

A  characteristic  letter  from  Andre wes  I  send  you. 

My  dear  B. :  It  is  only  an  internal  feeling  which 
causeth  a  gulping  and  a  funny  sensation  in  the  eyes 
which  can  in  anyx  degree  whatever  thank  you  for  all 
your  kindness,  etc.  I  trust  you  have  heard  this  week 
from  Mrs.  Brookfield.  I  pray  you  when  next  you 
write  give  her  my  kindest  regards.  She  is  one  of  the 
very  few  lovely  ones  I  ever  knew. 
24th. 

Feast  of  St.  Pipe.  Rules  for  writing  abroad.  First 
catch  your  goose.  Then  make  a  pen  with  a  fine  point. 
Then  get  the  largest  sheet  of  paper,  or  weight  of  paper, 
that  postage  will  allow  (usually  quarter  of  an  ounce), 
then  think  for  a  moment  what  letters  have  to  be  ac- 
knowledged and  what  facts  recorded  (sentiments  will 
come  of  themselves).  Then  answer  and  comment 
upon  last  letter  received.  Then  by  a  graceful  transi- 
tion from  Tuism  to  Egoism  refer  to  your  own  last 
written,  and  say  where  it  left  off.  Then  proceed 
onward  to  describe  (as  no  one  can  so  well  as  yourself) 
what  has  happened  day  by  day,  taking  heed  to  Chrono- 
logy and  Topography  ;  and  do  not  leave  it  to  one's 
own  wit  to  discover  whether  or  not  the  rhododendrons 
of  the  Montanicet  were  gathered  in  the  crags  of  the 
Pfeffers  or  whether  the  adorable  Carlo  Dolce  steered 
the  steamer  through  Wesen  Streets  on  Sunday  or  on 
Thursday  evening  after  posting  across  the  lake  of 
Wallenstadt.  The  alternation  to  the  above  perfect 
rules  of  letter  writing  is  journalizing  day  by  day  with- 
out any  formal  beginning  or  ending,  and  commenting 

192 


THE  ART  OF  LETTER  WRITING 

on  things  not  in  artificial  order  but  as  they  come. 
This  is  the  most  easy  and  convenient,  but  least  skilful 
way.  Noticing  them  in  a  mere  jotting,  incidental 
fashion,  sometimes  gets  things  into  confusion  instead 
of  harmonizing  them  into  mutual  relief  as  may  be  the 
case  with  a  regular  built  piece  of  architecture  of  a 
letter.  The  jotting  down  diary  style  is  my  own,  at 
present,  at  least,  and  many  incongruities  result  which 
would  be  avoided  if  the  whole  were  at  one  sitting. 

He  then  proceeds  to  tell  her  that  such  interesting 
letters  as  hers  should  be  written  so  that  all  might  read 
and  enjoy  them,  while  anything  not  meant  for  profane 
eyes  could  be  placed  in  a  sort  of  Poets'  Corner  arranged 
on  purpose  for  them. 

25th. 

I  was  a  little  surprised  to    find  that  the  violent, 

calumnious,    venomious,    viperious    Lord    G.    B 

(as  everybody  designates  him)  should  turn  out  (for 
I  had  not  known  him  before  by  sight)  to  be  a  gentle- 
manly looking  man  I  have  often  seen  listening  appar- 
ently with  interest  at  St.  James'.  I  met  him  in  the 
Lobby  a  day  or  two  after  I  began  chaplaining  as  I 
rushed  out  and  he  in,  he  gave  a  little  start  or  sort  of 
half  smile  as  if  going  to  speak,  much  the  same  as  Mr. 
Hall  am  when  he  caught  you  at  half-past  five  a.m.  at 
Freiburg  rushing  to  mass.  "  God  Bless  me — what 
are  you  doing  here."  This  morning  as  I  was  proceed- 
ing to  my  Mass  at  the  House,  I  saw  the  mad  woman 
who  criticises  the  doctrine  of  my  sermons.  She  was 
waiting  at  the  corner  of  Glasshouse  St.,  and  by  her 
eager  eye  and  expectant  face  I  saw  she  was  timing 
her  shaft  for  the  moment  when  I  should  pass.  Unable 
to  help  laughing  I  puckered  up  my  face  as  if  the  sun 

14— (2309) 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

was  shining  in  my  eyes  and  stalked  on.  The  shaft 
changed  its  character  accordingly  and  instead  of  an 
exception  to  my  orthodoxy  it  was  a  reflection  upon 
my  personal  appearance  and  a  shrill  rather  com- 
passionate but  still  partly  exulting  voice  squeaked 
out  "  Aged,  Aged  !  " 

In  the  Guardian  lately — "  On  entering  the  Church 
every  eye  was  attracted  to  a  stained  widow  of  great 
beauty  over  the  Altar." 

STRAZZA   DI    POLTINE,    23, 

16  Sept.,  1846. 
My  dear  Person, 

Your  pathetic  intonings  about  my  being  such  a 
bully  fall  upon  an  ear  somewhat  steeled  and  relentless. 
I  don't  think  my  truculency  has  done  you  much  harm, 
because  I  don't  see  that  it  has  done  you  much  good. 
Some  effort  at  amendment  I  confess,  not  entirely  with- 
out success  but  something  like  the  endeavour  of  a 
Frenchman  to  say,  "  This  is  the  house  that  Jack 
built  " — "  Deeze  isa  youze  dart  jacquebill." 

Your  vile  ingratitude  in  never  noticing  that  I 
acknowledged  your  letter  from  Interlacken  to  be  not 
totally  unworthy  of  the  wife  of  Caesar,  is  only  equalled 
by  the  audacious  levity  with  which  you  have  disre- 
garded my  detailed  instructions  in  the  art  of  polite 
letter- writ  ing.  Since  in  regard  to  which  you  have, 
like  many  religious  people,  made  election  of  the 
injunction  you  choose  to  obey  and  despise  the  rest. 

But  however,  you  either  can't  or  you  won't.  I 
devoutly  hope  the  latter,  meanwhile  I  always  allow 
both  the  letters  and  yourself  to  be  deuced  clever,  it 
is  only  the  humdrum  talent  that  is  wanting. 

Mrs.    Brookfield   and   the    Hallams    got    back    to 

194 


A  MISSIVE  FROM  CLEVEDON  COURT 

England  towards  the  end  of  September,  and  Mr. 
Brookfield  early  in  October  went,  almost  against  his 
will,  to  preach  a  mission  in  the  West  of  England  in 
aid  of  the  S.P.G. 

Mrs.  to  Mr.  Brookfield  : 

CLEVEDON  COURT, 

16th  Oct.,  1846. 
My  dear  Deputation, 

Thanks  for  to-day's  letter  and  programme.  I 
wish  excessively  that  I  could  attend  and  hear  you 
some  day,  disguised  as  a  schoolmistress  or  any  how. 

In  the  programme  I  am  amused  at  the  way  in 
which  they  embody  the  Deputation,  saying  "  Deputa- 
tion to  preach  ;'  at  such  a  place.  I  thought  such  a 
mode  of  speaking  was  merely  admissible  as  a  joke  and 
that  the  title  implied  two  or  three  individuals  by  rights. 

Captain  Beddoes  is  calling  here  (Cecilia- Alicia's 
husband)  a  most  good-natured  sailor,  Miss  Edgeworth's 
nephew,  and  the  original  of  Harry  in  "  Harry  and 
Lucy,"  a  nice  frank-mannered  man.  Again  an  inter- 
ruption of  visitors,  Clifton  people,  with  whom  I  used 
to  beat  my  hoop  on  the  Crescent  at  Clifton  in  years 
gone  by,  eminently  Pilsome  ladylike  nonentities.  A 
soiree  takes  place  this  evening  at  Mount  Elton,  Lady 
E.  called  yesterday  to  invite  me  and  Edward  to  step 
in  between  seven  and  eight,  I  don't  think  I  can. 

Kate  is  more  enduring  by  a  great  deal  than  I  am 
of  the  common  run  of  "  Socie"te,"  and  was  spirited 
enough  to  give  an  evening  entertainment  here  the 
other  day  (which  seems  the  fashionable  hospitality 
of  the  place).  She  had  a  man  from  Bristol  to  cook, 
gave  a  select  dinner  first  of  all,  and  then  a  most  recher- 
che supper  with  barley  sugar  towers  and  so  forth, 
all  costing  only  five  pounds,  and  knocking  off  all  the 

195 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

bearing  grudges  people  who  ought  to  have  had  more 
attention  paid  them. 

Harry  Hallam,  back  at  Cambridge  for  his  last 
term,  at  this  period  wrote  a  letter  in  which  he  said  to 
Mrs.  Brookfield :  "  You  might  hint  in  a  delicate 
manner  to  Miss  Hallam  that  it  was  a  foolish  fond  old 
custom  in  the  Primitive  Church  for  relatives  to  cor- 
respond with  each  other,  until  which  usage  be  restored 
I  must  request  you  to  be  the  medium  of  assuring  her 
of  my  distinguished  assurance,"  and  to  Mr.  Brookfield— 
"  Your  parody,  dear  Brookfield,  is  the  most  perfect 
testimony,  within  this  historical  period,  to  the  favourite 
maxim  of  an  ancient  father,  that  Charity  is  the  hand- 
maid of  humour  and  Forebearance  auxiliary  to  wit." 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

BUTLEIGH  COURT, 

29  Oct.,  1846. 
Octavia, 

My  zarviz  to  you.  Your  letter  rezived  this  morn- 
ing is  zhart  and  zweet,  and  I  think  needs  no  special 
answer  save  acknowledgment. 

After  I  bewrote  thee  yesterday  Mrs.  Neville  drove 
Lady  Charlotte,  young  Bagot  (Clerk)  and  self  into 
Glastonbury.  I  called  on  old  Doctor  Parfitt,  who  I 
think  wanted  to  shirk  Monday's  Meeting,  i.e.  not  to 
have  it,  the  Town  Hall  being  occupied,  but  I  stuck  to 
it,  saying  that  we  would  have  it  in  schoolroom.  Bishop 
had  gone  off  to  Yeovil  to  consecrate,  and  was  to  take 
up  his  son,  very  nice  fellow  like  himself,  at  Glaston- 
bury on  his  return.  It  is  almost  impossible  to  get  the 
Bishop  to  places  in  time.  A  regular  fashionable 
incapacity  for  punctuality.  And  they  only  got  him 

196 


INCAPACITY  FOR  PUNCTUALITY 

off  this  morning  by  happening  to  have  forward  clocks. 
We  merely  glanced  at  the  ruins  of  Glastonbury.  Home 
to  four-thirty  dinner.  Church  followed,  with  capital 
chanting.  We  being  in  a  great  room  of  a  pew  with 
blazing  fire  which  the  Dean  kept  poking  while  he  sang 
on  out  of  tune  like  seven.  Meeting.  George  Neville 
opened,  very  sensible  but  not  fluent,  too  sensible  for 
that.  Dean  followed,  I  had  given  him  a  piece  of  report 
to  read  straight  off  which  he  did.  Curate  Tripp, 
tremulous  and  meek  in  his  moderate  Puseyism  fired 
away  in  a  cut  and  dried,  very  good  and  sensible,  but  he 
had  written  it  out  and  had  to  revert  to  it  as  it  lay  con- 
cealed in  a  book  which  he  had  in  his  hand.  Ralph 
Neville  followed  (M.P.  for  Windsor)  as  impudent  as 
brass,  and  gave  a  very  fair  lay  speech.  The  LION 
followed,  distributed  warm  compliments  on  the  state 
of  the  Parish,  the  services,  the  tremulous  curate  speech, 
etc.,  and  went  on  for  half  an  hour,  without  breaking 
down,  but  it  felt  to  him  very  seedy.  However,  it 
came  to  an  end. 

Folks  are  very  kind  here,  just  what  you  would 
like  very  much.  I  will  not  tell  you  which  you  would 
like  best.  I  don't  know  that  there  is  exactly  great 
talent,  but  good  breeding,  good  nature  and  good  tone. 
You  would  like  the  old  lady.  Perfectly  unaffected 
and  kind  as  they  all  are. 

To-morrow  Walton,  which  in  my  secret  mind  I 
rather  dread.  Lord  John  is  a  most  excellent  fellow, 
but  I  have  more  sympathy  with  men  of  less  business- 
like minds.  The  Bishop  for  instance. 

Mr.  Brookfield  to  H.  F.  Hallam  : 

23  Gx.  PULTENEY  ST., 

16  Nov.,  46. 
My  dear  Harry, 

Much    thanks    for    the  Malt :  quite  as  much  as  if 

197 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

the  Porters  at  Broxbourne  were  not  at  this  identical 
moment  (4.23)  swigging  it  to  the  health  of  all  Cam- 
bridge cousins  who  are  green  enough  to  send  liquor 
by  rail  to  their  relations  in  Town.  Certes  the  beer 
hath  not  got  into  our  house,  which  militates  against 
the  probability  of  its  ever  getting  into  our  head.  A 
day  or  two,  however,  may  reveal  it. 

Meantime  a  thousand  thanks  for  a  present  (when 
it  does  arrive)  in  every  way  acceptable  to  me. 

I  had  intended  a  few  remarks,  but  a  sudden  call 
to  bustle  off  to  dine  has  thrown  me  on  a  heap.  We 
spend  two  pleasant  days  with  the  Purveyor  of  History 
to  all  Mankind  and  the  gentlest  of  Historian's  Daugh- 
ters at  Clifton  last  Thursday  and  Friday.  My  Mission 
was  fertile  in  pleasant  intercourses  (oh  goodness  what 
numbers  of  nice  people  Heaven  does  bend  over),  and 
not  barren  of  fun.  Less  irksome  than  I  had  expected 
but  still  not  satisfactory  as  to  my  own  portion  in  the 
business.  I  mean  the  speaking. 

But   adieu.     Jane's   love, 

Ever  most  sincerely, 

W.  H.  BROOKFIELD. 


Mrs.  Brookfield  to  Harry  Hallam  : 

23  GREAT  PULTENEY  ST., 

5    Dec.,    46. 
My  dear  Harry, 

Your  princely  gift  arrived  yesterday  and  William 
being  immersed  in  Sermonic  cogitation  has  acquiesced 
in  my  proposal  of  taking  his  letter  out  of  his  hands 
into  these  unworthy  substitutes — but  as  he  is  very 
busy  to-day  he  could  but  have  written  a  line  so  I  am 
the  less  diffident  of  robbing  you  of  that. 

Very  many  gratitudes  for  your  kind  present  and 
eke  for  a  welcome  letter  preliminaryising  your  beer. 

198 


THE  BROWNINGS 

I  indulged  myself  in  a  volume  of  Consuelo  the  other  day 
to  revive  Venice — how  impossible  that  Sky  and  the 
Evening's  Piazza  promenade  appear  in  one's  native 
atmosphere — we  breakfasted  by  candlelight  at  9 
o'clock  to-day. 

*'  An  owlishly  intellected  lady  was  one  day  account- 
ing for  Courvoisier's  murder  of  his  master  by  the 
"  simple  fact "  of  his  living  by  gaslight.  In  Lord  William 
Russell's  house  the  offices  were  always  in  the  dark 
and  "  this  must  have  an  effect  on  the  mind  and  lead 
to  gloomy  and  evil  thoughts,"  etc.  What  would  be 
the  end  of  St.  Luke's  Sunday  School  on  this  theory  ? 
for  they  are  constantly  taught  by  gaslight  during  the 
winter,  and  who  knows  but  I  may  have  to  give  evidence 
to  this  effect  in  extenuation  of  some  future  crime 
committed  by  one  of  my  own  gaslighted  class  ? 

Mr.  Moxon  has  just  cheerily  bounced  into  the 
room  with  hearty  shakes  of  the  hand,  "Sir,"  and 
Alfred  being  in  Town  is  coming  to  dine  with  him  to- 
day— would  William  come  and  meet  him  ?  Mr. 
Rogers  had  sent  them  "  a  very  fine  leveret,  and  they 
should  have  a  pair  of  soles  and  no  form."  So  William 
goeth  there  to-night.  Of  course  you  know  that  our 
friend  Browning  ran  away  with  a  sister  poet  the  other 
day  ?  Miss  Barrett-Barrett  (  y  two  Barrett's  ?)  who 
has  been  nearly  bedridden  for  years  ;  they  are  now  in 
Italy  away  from  a  brutish  father  (selon  Mr.  Moxon) 
who  opposed  the  match  and  entailed  the  necessity 
of  its  being  achieved  in  a  surreptitious  (gracious ! 
what  a  word  !  !  !)  manner.  Miss  Wynn  lent  me  Miss 
Barrett's  poetic  effusions  with  a  strong  encomium 
from  herself.  I  see  she  has  a  good  deal  of  poetry  in 
her,  but  her  "  Lady  Geraldine's  Courtship  "  is  evidently 
conceived  in  consequence  of  reading  Locksley  Hall, 
and  the  whole  poem  recalls  it ;  though  such  a  laboured 
piece  of  40  pages  was  never  put  together  I  suppose. 

199 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

(Excuse  a  somewhat  lame  conclusion  to  my  attempt 
at  a  Critique.)  As  to  your  hospitable  suggestions 
about  Cambridge,  my  Harry,  nothing  should  I  like 
better  and  nothing  would  better  please  William  than 
invading  the  Time  honoured  abode  of  Genius  and 
enjoying  a  festive  day  there  under  your  friendly  aus- 
pices, but  I  fear  it  must  be  one  of  the  bright  possi- 
bilities of  the  future — a  star  on  the  Horizon  but  not 
yet  over  our  heads.  Friend  Thomas  hath  departed 
for  a  Xmas  holiday.  New  brooms  are  busily  executing 
their  well  known  propensities  in  sweeping  clean,  and 
to  drop  metaphor  (into  which  I  had  but  just  stepped, 
for  I  am  sure  the  fact  of  Thomas's  departure  is  any- 
thing but  a  mere  metaphor)  the  new  Rector  of  St. 
Jeames's  keeps  a  vigilant  eye  over  us  all  and  might 
take  note  in  an  unfavourable  manner  of  both  Curate 
and  Incumbent  absenting  themselves  at  once.  Mr. 
Chapman  condescended  to  take  care  of  Mrs.  Garden's 
love  to  me,  all  the  way  from  Edinburgh  and  sent  it 
me  by  Mr.  Spedding,  who  dined  with  us  the  other  day. 
Mr.  Moxon  said  Alfred  one  day  while  travelling  said 
to  him,  "  Moxon,  you  have  made  me  very  unhappy 
by  something  you  said  to  me  at  Lucerne,"  the  un- 
fortunate speech  having  been  "  Why  Tennyson  you 
will  be  as  bald  as  Spedding  before  long."  Poor  Alfred 
brooded  over  this  till  on  his  return  to  England  he  put 
himself  under  a  Mrs.  Parker  (or  some  such  name)  who 
rubs  his  head  and  pulls  out  dead  hairs  an  hour  a  visit, 
and  ten  shillings  an  hour,  besides  cosmetics  ad  libitum, 
Your  father's  hair  would  bristle  up  at  the  idea  of 
the  Queen's  pension  being  spent  in  this  manner,  but 
really  his  hair  is  such  an  integral  part  of  his  appearance 
it  would  be  a  great  pity  he  should  lose  it — and  they 
say  this  woman  does  really  restore  hair,  and  she  is 
patronised  by  Royalty  itself !  Can  I  say  more  in  her 
favour  or  in  extenuation  for  A.  T. 

200 


'  PLACE  AUX  DAMES  " 

The  said  A.  T.  was  staying  with  Mr.  Taylor,  I 
believe,  but  was  turned  out  by  the  arrival  of  the  fair 
Wigan  who  was  ill  and  required  a  room.  My  letter 
is  essentially  gossiping ;  and  now  to  mount  from  the 
ridiculous  to  the  sublime,  I  thought  of  you  when  at 
a  dinner  party  the  other  day,  a  pilling  good-natured 
curate  was  telling  little  parochial  jests  and  vestry 
experiences,  and  named  the  circumstances  of  a  party 
bringing  his  (their,  or  her)  child  to  be  baptised  by  the 
name  of  HYDROPATHA.  On  expostulation  they  were 
firm  to  their  choice  of  the  name,  having  had  great 
benefit  from  the  water  system  and  wishing  to  memo- 
rialize their  gratitude  in  the  shape  of  their  little  girl. 

Your  affect.   JANE. 


201 


CHAPTER  VII 

Lady  Duff-Gordon.  An  unique  Dinner  Party.  Mrs.  Norton. 
Count  D'Orsay.  Living  under  the  Church.  Mrs.  Wigan.  Mrs. 
Carlyle.  Cambridge.  The  "  Cave."  Reading  Shakespeare.  In- 
stallation of  the  Prince  Consort  as  Chancellor.  "  Clever  Men." 
A  Criticism  on  Vanity  Fair.  "  Pride  of  Intellect."  Price  of  Votes. 
Dr.  Thompson.  Charles  Tennyson.  "  Amelia  "  and  Mrs.  Brook- 
field.  Miss  Cushman.  Lady  Duff-Gordon's  Offer.  Criticism  on 
"  Dombey."  "  Frank  Whitestock."  Tennyson. 

The  year  1847  found  Mr.  Brookfield  a  good  deal 
troubled  by  the  depreciation  of  some  railway  stock  he 
had  been  persuaded  to  purchase  ;  and,  as  preferment 
did  not  seem  to  be  coming  his  way,  talk  arose,  not  for 
the  first  time,  concerning  his  chance  of  getting  an 
Inspectorship  of  schools. 

Early  in  January  Mrs.  Brookfield  wrote  to  Harry 
Hallam  : — 

As  you  left  the  room  to-day  Lady  Duff-Gordon 
and  her  husband  came  in — their  first  visit,  very  benevo- 
lently meant — to  ask  us  to  dine  and  meet  Lord  Lans- 
downe  by  way  of  fathering  Inspectorial  possibilities. 
I  feel  excited,  having  intended  to  dislike  Lady  Duff, 
and  finding  myself  suddenly  crushed  under  an  obliga- 
tion to  her.  She  must  be  very  good  natured,  but 
meeting  the  arbiter  of  one's  interests  I  don't  take  al- 
ways to  be  a  good  measure,  it's  putting  one's  head 
into  the  lion's  mouth  at  once. 

202 


LADY  DUFF-GORDON 

But  that  this  meeting  came  off  is  evident  from  the 
following  : — 

23  GT.  PULTENEY  ST., 
LONDON, 

22  Jan.,  1847. 
My  dearest  Mother, 

Pray  offer  all  the  congratulations  in  the  world  to 
Gould  and  Fanny  on  the  well  doing  of  the  latter,  and 
all  those  which  the  occasion  deserves  on  the  accession 
to  their  family.  If  there  is  a  moment  when  I  feel  life 
a  burden  and  tear  my  hair  up  by  the  roots  it  is  when 
I  hear  of  my  friends  having  men  children  and  women 
children  born  to  them.  Why,  ah  why,  have  they  all 
the  good  fortune  ?  Blessed  images  of  our  blessed 
selves  !  How  thrice  favoured  are  the  toads  under  such 
quivers  full  of  harrows  !  .  .  . 

I  told  you  I  sat  next  Lady  Duff-Gordon  at  King- 
lake's  dinner.  We  dined  with  them  the  other  evening 
at  a  very  little  party.  Lord  Lansdowne,  Lady  Char- 
lotte Lyndesay,  a  Mr.  Bruce,  a  foreign  author  and  our 
two  selves.  The  dinner  was  peculiar  in  its  way. 
The  Gordons  are  peculiarly  far  from  "  fine."  He  is 
the  most  gentlemanly  hand  at  it  I  ever  saw,  and  would 
seem  perfectly  unconscious  that  such  and  such  things 
were  considered  vulgar  ;  she,  on  the  other  hand,  would 
seem  rather  as  if  she  gloried  in  their  very  commonness  : 
but  not  much  so — I  don't  mean  to  malign  her.  The 
dinner  was  soup  and  cod's  head  and  shoulders,  followed 
by  the  bouilli,  of  which  the  soup  had  been  made  ; 
two  fowls  and  a  chap,  followed  by  a  pheasant,  a  tart, 
a  jelly  and  black  puddings  ;  the  black  puddings  fol- 
lowed by  an  orange  pie — made  just  like  an  apple  pie 
but  not  nearly  so  good  ;  cheese  and  salad  ;  sherry, 
bottled  ale  and  bottled  porter,  with  a  bottle  of  claret 
after  dinner.  .  .  .  Lady  Gordon  had  dressed  the 

203 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

salad  herself  in  the  kitchen.  But  the  difference  with 
which  he  would  mention  such  a  thing  as  simple  matter 
of  fact — and  she  with  just  the  least  little  tinge  of 
bravado  would  strike  an  acute  observer.  Now  if  you 
heard  Sir  Alex  ask  whether  you  would  eat  Beccaficoes 
a  la  Reine  or  Black  puddings  (if  you  had  never  heard 
of  either),  you  could  not  possibly  distinguish  which 
came  from  the  belly  of  a  sow  and  which  from  the 
Groves  of  Sardinia  (if  there  are  any  Beccaficoes  there). 
Sunday  I  have  a  funny  enough  dinner.  Lord 
Lyttelton,  Eothen  and  Thackeray.  Lyttelton  asked 
himself,  as  did  Thackeray,  and  I  added  Kinglake.  A 
learned,  pious  peer — the  chief  writer  in  Punch — and 
Eothen.  We  shall  go  at  7  to  church  when  I  shall  preach 
for  the  third  time  and  return  to  coffee,  etc.  As  odd 
a  dinner  as  there  will  be  in  London  that  day.  .  .  . 
Ever,  my  dear  Mother,  most  affectionately, 

W.  H.  BROOKFIELD. 

As  Mr.  Brookfield  invariably  gave  his  mother  an 
account  of  anything  curious  he  heard,  he,  on  the  4th 
of  February,  from  Southampton  where  he  was  staying 
with  Mrs.  Brookfield,  sent  her  the  following  : 

The  Saturday  before  we  came  here  we  dined  with 
the  Walter  Jameses  (M.P.  for  Hull).  We  had  Lord  and 
Lady  Lyveden  (the  latter  used  to  be  considered  a  great 
beauty),  Mr.  James  Wortley  and  wife,  and  one  or  two 
more.  Lady  L.  sang  Scotch  songs  as  well  as  possible. 
Lord  L.  is  the  only  person  I  ever  met  who  had  seen  a 
"  Will  o'  the  wisp."  He  saw  one,  or  rather  two  at  once, 
the  latter  end  of  last  year  when  with  Edwin  Landseer, 
the  animal  painter,  in  Scotland, — but  they  seemed 
two  miles  distant  and  had  no  deluding  effect.  It  was 
on  a  marshy  moor. 

204 


THE  LITTLE  MISS  THACKERAYS 

Leaving  his  wife  at  the  Fanshawes,  he  wrote  on  the 
15th  February  to  her  : 

Thackwack  came  in  at  9  last  night,  and  we  con- 
versed till  small  hours.  His  remark  on  A.B.  is  that 
"  There  is  a  volcano  of  voluptuousness  in  that  girl"  ! !  f 
and  he  adheres  to  it  that  she  is  a  woman  full  of  passions 
and  affections  under  control.  Little  Fanshawe,  you 
may  assure  her,  was  spoken  of  as  she  would  have  liked 
if  listening  through  the  keyhole.  You  alone  came  in 
for  the  unmeasured  tempest  of  our  abuse.  He  wants 
to  know  when  his  purse  will  be  finished.  Totty  is  to 
come — but  no  servant. 

This  last  concerned  little  Miss  Fanshawes  usual  visit 
to  the  little  Miss  Thackerays,  and  Thackeray  himself 
wrote  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  about  it  apparently  the  same 
day,  for  on  the  next  she  says  to  her  husband  : 

Totty  is  looking  forward  with  great  delight  to 
her  visit  but  I  am  afraid  the  going  without  a  maid 
may  prove  a  spoke  in  the  wheel.  I  don't  know  if  I  can 
steady  my  head  sufficiently  to  answer  Mr.  Thackeray's 
witty  effusion  to-day. 

and  she  encloses  to  him  his  friend's  letter.     On  which 
Mr.  Brookfield  replied  : 

23  Gx.  PULTENEY  ST., 

18  Feb.,  1847. 
My  dear  Person, 

You  had  better  come  home  soon — you  are  evidently 
getting  mad.  Thackeray's  letter  is  very  good.  I 
will  take  care  of  it.  ...  I  am  passionately  in  love 
with  Heritage.  I  had  her  up  yesterday  to  consult* — 
but  finding  that  she  was  fascinating  me  I  dismissed  her 

*   He  was  giving  a  dinner  to  Thackeray  and  others. 
205 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

to  wrestle  with  the  great  dinner  Angel  in  private  and 
to  announce  to  me  the  result  of  her  meditation.  This 
morning  the  conference  was  resumed.  When  I  must 
do  you  the  justice  to  say  that  her  imagination  had  not 
been  able  to  soar  above  "  a  nice  piece  of  salt  beef  to 
boil."  I  shook  my  head  and  said  it  was  not  quite 
company  enough — to  which  she  added — verbatim — 
11 1  have  nothing  else  to  suggest."  Whereupon  I  devised 
the  carte  which  I  inclose  and  of  which  you  will  perhaps 
consume  the  leavings  on  Friday  evening. 

After  writing  to  you  yesterday  I  enjoyed  my  "  bit 
of  fish  "  at  5J  in  solemn  solitude  and  at  7  to  church 
when  I  proche.  At  9  o'clock  the  sublime  and  the 
ridiculous  developed  themselves  in  the  persons  of 
Mr.  Thackeray  and  Mr.  Spedding,  who  sat  till  12.  Soon 
after  that  hour  I  retired  to  my  downy  and  fell  asleep 
in  the  arms  of  Mr.  Milman.  .  .  . 

I  wish  you  had  been  here  at  our  festival  to-night — 
at  least  I  wish  I  had  had  it  a  day  later — but  we  shall 
have  other  opportunities  for  the  exercise  of  your  favour- 
ite gift.  And  so  farewell — I  shall  hear  to-morrow 
by  what  train  you  come,  but  if  by  chance  you  find  any 
reason  to  stay  another  day,  as  in  persons  full  of  brim- 
stone in  every  pore  may  be  the  case,  do  not  hesitate 
to  think  yourself  a  free  agent. 

God  bless  you,  love  to  Fanshawes — less  and  least — 
and  the  Bullars. 

Thine  most  affectionately, 

W.  H.  BROOKFIELD. 

Mrs.  Brookfield  was  under  treatment  for  gout  and 
taking  sulphur  baths ;  she  wrote  to  Thackeray  : 

SOUTHAMPTON, 

18th  February. 
My  dear  Mr.  Thackeray, 

As    I    hope    to  be  at  home  to-morrow  it  seems 

206 


MRS.  FANSHAWE 

hardly  worth  while  to  write  any  more  than  just  a  few 
lines  to  thank  you  for  your  letter  which  amused  us 
extremely  and  for  which  Mrs.  Fanshawe  also  was 
much  obliged  and  desires  her  best  thanks  and  respects 
or  regards.  Totty  could  not  get  ready  soon  enough 
to  come  with  me,  so  that  at  all  events  you  will  not 
expect  her  till  next  week — and  further  particulars  I 
may  be  empowered  to  enter  into  when  I  see  you.  It 
was  entirely  out  of  my  power  to  answer  your  kind  letter 
yesterday,  tho'  I  tried  hard  to  do  so,  and  made  several 
beginnings.  You  rose  grander  and  more  awful  in  the 
majesty  of  your  authorship  each  time  I  made  the  feeble 
attempt  to  write  a  few  unpretending  words  in  answer 
to  your  letter,  and  it  is  only  the  fear  of  appearing  rude 
and  ungrateful  which  has  mastered  my  trepidation 
to-day.  The  ancient  doctors  are  still  ah've  and  have 
been  experimenting  on  me  with  hot  air  and  sulphur 
baths  satisfactorily,  setting  me  up  to  brave  the  airs 
of  Pulteney  again. 

Bishop   Oaks,  on   an   ambling  Palfrey,  rides  by  in 
innocent  self-contentment.     You  left  a  great  blank 
behind  you — not  to  be  filled  up  at  all. 
Believe  me, 

Yours  most  sincerely, 

J.  O.  BROOKFIELD. 

I  beg  your  pardon  for  crossing — will  you  give  my 
love  to  the  two  children. 

Mrs.  Fanshawe,  wife  of  the  Rev.  Fanshawe  of  South- 
ampton, was  a  gifted  woman,  one  of  the  brightest  intelli- 
gences of  her  time  :  she  took  rank  with  Mrs.  Carlyle 
and  Mrs.  Procter  in  intellectual  attainments ;  her 
reasoning  powers  were  exceptionally  keen,  and  to  a 
happy  lucidity  of  expression  she  added  a  charm  which 
neither  of  those  ladies  ever  possessed.  She  was  a 

207 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

dear  and  true  friend,  both  to  the  Thackerays  and  the 
Brookfields. 

Harry  Hallam  to  Mr.  Brookfield : 

WILTON  CRESCENT, 

Tuesday. 
My  dear  Brookfield, 

I  am  base  enough  to  shrink  from  the  responsibilities 
of  Whitechapel.  The  Licentiate,  whose  great  mind 
cannot  yet  fathom  the  object  of  oriental  pilgrimages, 
has  it  much  at  heart  that  I  should  do  myself  the  honour 
of  waiting  on  Mrs.  Robert  Fillymore  at  a  very  small 
evening  party,  and  can  suggest  nothing  better  than  that 
I  should  defer  any  experimental  acquaintance  with 
the  Codger's  Club  till  after  Gully. 

I  shall  despatch  this  early  that  you  may  not  be 
premature  in  making  your  arrangements  for  the  day. 
Pray,  pray  do  not  reward  my  treachery  by  taking 
Mr.  Thackeray  to  those  delightful  regions  ;  but  remem- 
ber, that  in  this  important  struggle,  in  which  the 
interests  of  the  Church  are  so  deeply  at  stake,  of  inde- 
pendence against  conventionality,  of  appropriativeness 
against  property,  of  draymen  against  monarchs,  of 
the  Catholic  East  against  the  Erastian  West,  a  humble 
but  faithful  companion  bides  his  time  and  now  sub- 
scribes himself  with  regretful  affection — 

JOHN  MANNERS. 

It  was  part  of  a  pose  of  the  time  to  sign  letters  with 
the  name  of  a  friend  or  with  some  fantastic  imaginary 
signature,  while  a  similar  buoyancy  prompted  them 
also  to  spell  phonetically,  to  head  their  notes  "  St  You 
and  St  Mee,"  "  St  Stephen  Sprice,"  etc.,  and  address 
Mrs.  Brookfield  as  "  The  Countess  of  St.  Luke's," 

208 


LORD  M.  AND  MRS.  N. 

'  The  Rev.  Mrs.  Brookfield,"  etc.,  while  Harry  Hallam 
would  sometimes  closely  copy  Thackeray's  handwriting, 
and  then  apologise  for  "  this  base  imitation  of  the  Great 
Humourist." 

At  the  end  of  a  "  war  of  wits  "  with  his  mother, 
it  is  noticeable  that  Mr.  Brookfield  always  changed  the 
subject  by  giving  her  the  gossip  of  the  town.  On  this 
occasion  Mrs.  Jane  Brookfield  had  been  criticising  some- 
what sternly  a  certain  sermon  of  her  son's  upon 
"  Baptism."  Tired  of  the  tussle,  he  sent  her  the 
following  : 

23  GT.  PULTENEY  ST., 

26  March,  1847. 
My  dearest  Mother, 

What  the  juice  had  happened  to  make  you  so 
uncommon  cross  with  every  body  towards  the  close  of 
your  last  letter  ? — poor  lady  Buff ! — poor  lady  Borgad  ! 
— (I've  got  such  a  cold  id  my  dose  I  caddot  write  the 
letters  eb  ad  ed] — poor  Mrs.  Dortod  !  As  to  the  last 
mentioned — your  virtuous  indignation  is  all  very  well 
conceived — but  entirely  misplaced.  Nobody  thinks 
Mrs.  D.  a  woman  of  strict  conventional  habits,  and  all 
people  are  free  to  exercise  their  private  judgement 
as  to  the  desirableness  of  intimacy  with  her,  because 
she  does  not  care  a  bodle  for  what  Mrs.  Grundy  says, 
and  like  a  goodish  many  of  her  charming  sect  I  dare  say 
she  likes  men  better  than  women  ;  but  merely  their 
talk;  of  course  it  is  very  bad  judgement  and  indicates 
a  very  unenviable  state  of  mind  to  think  that  men  are 
better  company  than  women.  I  don't  think  so,  nor 
I  am  sure  does  anybody  with  proper  taste,  but  still 
nobody  in  London  believes  a  syllable  of  harm  between 
Lord  M.  and  Mrs.  N — nobody  that  is  that  knows  any- 
thing at  all  about  the  matter.  You  must  remember 

209 

15— (2309) 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

he  was  acquitted,  and  that  not  in  the  least  ambiguously 
or  discreditably.  Surely  it  is  very  unfair  to  punish 
people  because  they  are  accused.  But  still  that  is  not 
so  conclusive  as  the  general  conviction  in  the  minds 
of  all  that  know  them  both  in  their  favour.  After  all 
it  is  not  individuals  who  are  to  settle  what  society 
is  to  do  in  such  cases.  Society  receives  her — and  does 
not  most  certainly  receive  those  who  are  believed  to  be 
incorrect.  And  it  would  be  unjustifiable  to  refuse  to 
meet  her — and  rather  harsh  to  refuse  to  be  introduced. 
I  enquired  all  about  it  of  most  competent  decorumists 
two  years  ago  when  we  were  asked  to  meet  her  at 
dinner  but  did  not  go.  And  tho'  I  should  not  approve 
of  her  as  an  intimate  friend  there  is  nothing  against 
a  mere  slight  acquaintance  even  for  the  most  prudent. 
I  believe  her  to  be  as  entirely  free  from  any  impropriety 
as  Miss  Bates  or  Miss  Harrison  or  Mrs.  Best, — three 
as  spotless  virgins  I  should  think  as  the  chaste  moon 
ever  sees  putting  on  their  night  caps. 

And  if  the  case  were  not  so  favourable  for  her  as 
in  the  judgement  of  those  best  capable  of  judging  it 
really  is — still — is  there  not  an  a  fortiori  lesson  to  be 
drawn  from  a  narrative  you  have  met  with  ? 

Hath  any  man  condemned  thee  ?  —  No  man. 
Neither  do  I  condemn  thee. 

That  was  not  in  the  case  of  an  innocent  person, 
whom  12  men  had  deliberately  acquitted,  and  whom 
competent  members  of  society  believed  to  be  blame- 
less. .  .  . 

The  inauguration  of  Albert  as  chancellor  took  place 
yesterday.  I  might  have  lunched  at  the  palace,  but 
had  no  curiosity,  all  members  of  the  Senate  being  ad- 
missible .... 

I  saw  Kinglake  last  night  but  forgot  to  ask  him 
if  he  was  an  infidel.  By  the  bye,  Warburton  was  there 
too  but  I  did  not  happen  to  speak  with  him.  This 

210 


A  BIRTHDAY  LETTER 

was  at  Mrs.  Milman's.  I  had  gone  alone — Count  d'Orsay 
having  driven  off  Jane  to  a  masquerade,  he  dressed  as 
Neptune,  she  as  a  sea  nymph. 

Good  -  bye.  Jane's  best  love  with  mine  to  Sire 
and  all. 

Most  affectionately, 

W.  H.  B. 

P.S.  —  On  the  Carte  of  the  Carlton  Club  the  day 
before  yesterday  (the  General  Fast)  was  to  be  seen  these 
words  : — "  The  Committee,  taking  into  consideration 
that  the  observance  of  a  General  Fast  has  been  or- 
dained, have  directed  that  the  Coffee  room  dinner 
shall  be  confined  strictly  to — Two  soups,  Fish.  Plain 
Joints.  Spring  Tarts.  Omelettes  and  Cheese. 


A  Birthday  letter  from  Mr.  Brookfield  to  his  father 
runs  : 

23  GT.  PULTENEY  ST., 

2nd  May,  1847,  6.30  p.m. 
Honoured  and  Beloved  Sire, 

...  I  wish  I  had  been  dining  with  you  to-day 
instead  of  preaching  indifferent  sermons  (three  in 
number)  in  London.  I  would  much  rather  have 
joined  you  in  Stanley  port  not  indifferent  and  six  in 
number.  I  would  have  fallen  fast  asleep  with  you 
over  Adam  Clarke,  while  my  Mother  kept  awake  over 
Hannah  More  and  wished  she  had  a  husband  and  son 
of  better  mind.  I  would  have  said  my  Catechism 
before  tea — then  eaten  toast  and  drunk  bohea  from 
Sidebotham's  (or  who  ever  may  now  sit  upon  his 
grocer  throne)  I  would  have  afterwards  repeated 
Watts'  hymns  ;  strolled  round  the  pond ;  got  called 
in  from  the  dewy  grass ;  slept  again  like  the  maids 
over  one  of  Cooper's  practicals,  and  then  awaked 
to  the  best  and  merriest  supper  of  the  week,  when  my 

211 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

mother's  gravity   could    hold    out   no  longer — as  it 
never  could  last  through  a  whole  Sunday.  .  . 

Towards  June,  owing  to  the  state  of  the  Stocks 
and  also  because  of  Mrs.  Brookfield's  health,  it  was 
decided  they  should  give  up  their  London  house  for 
a  time,  Mr.  Brookfield  undertaking  to  live  in  the 
vaults  beneath  St.  Luke's  Church,  which  he  had  the 
right  to  do,  and  Mrs.  Brookfield  going  to  visit  relations 
in  the  West  of  England.  They  are  no  sooner  apart 
than  correspondence  begins.  Harry  Hallam  writes 
almost  before  his  cousin  has  reached  her  destination  : 

You  will  be  glad  to  hear  that  a  depressed  public 
walking  along  a  vacant  and  dreary  Piccadilly  in  moody 
silence  fell  in  with  the  creature-comfort  of  Spedding 
who  discoursed  eloquently,  feelingly  and  gushingly  for 
the  space  of  two  hours  to  his  not  unwilling  audience 
on  the  great  divinity  whom  to  name  would  be  profana- 
tion, but  whom  he  has  worshipped  on  five  distinct 
occasions  after  a  regimental,  diabolic,  normal  and 
sleep-walking  ritual,  and  is  in  a  most  proper  state  of 
enthusiasm,  although  when  pressed  on  the  point  as 
to  whether  or  no  "  he  would  that  Grote's  gay  lot  were 
his,"  his  apostolic  caution  induced  him  to  say  that  he 
should  think  it  a  great  responsibility.  She  spends 
Sunday  in  singing  hymns  in  her  own  room  to  herself. 
A  most  touching  letter  has  been  received  from 
Thompson  in  which  his  gracious  condescension  extends 
to  me  and  all  clerical  relations  the  use  of  my  old 
rooms  to  be  had  and  held  for  our  common  benefit 
during  the  period  of  our  Prince  his  installation. 

F.  Lushington  came  up  to  town  in  the  most  oppor- 
tune manner  just  in  time  to  be  hooked  for  the  dinner. 

212 


A  ROMANTIC  ATTACHMENT 

After  some  guarded  fencing,  and  preliminary  beating 
about  the  bush,  I  drew  the  grand  fact  that  the  Tenny- 
son habit  of  coming  unwashed  and  staying  unbidden 
was,  is,  and  will  be  the  great  burthen  and  calamity 
of  the  Lushington  existence,  socially  considered.  They 
actually  groan  under  M.,  who  they  expect  will  stay  to 
keep  up  the  establishment,  when  the  original  family 
retires  to  Malta.  I  did  not  venture  to  touch  upon 
the  delicate  ground  of  E.,  but  I  expect  they  labour 
under  undefined  but  not  ungrounded  alarms  that 
Mr.  J.  may  be  a  permanent  fixture. 

I  have  hired  myself  to  a  party  signing  himself 
W.  H.  B.  as  secretary  for  S.P.G.  communications  in 
consideration  of  a  breakfast  to  be  given  under  St. 
Luke's. 

Adieu,  my  dear  Linda,  time  flies,  cabs  rumble  in 
the  distance  to  whirl  me  to  operas,  and  audacity  con- 
scious of  having  written  a  dull  letter  without  any 
reasonable  excuse — quails  at  its  own  presumption. 
Julia,  I  believe,  returns  Monday,  the  Licentiate 
probably  not  till  Tuesday. 

H.  F.  H. 


The  "  divinity "  alluded  to  above  was  probably 
Jenny  Lind,  between  whom  and  Harry  Hallam  there 
was  jokingly  supposed  to  be  a  romantic  attachment. 

Mrs.  Brookfield,  after  duly  bemoaning  that  her 
husband  should  be  relegated  to  so  "  monastic  a  cell," 
tells  him  : 

ROCKBEARE  HOUSE, 
EXETER, 

30th  June,  47. 

...  I  am  amused  at  the  difference  of  our  grand 
events  which  we  have  to  communicate  to  each  other — 

213 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

yours  comprising  Consecrations,  S.P.G.  meetings,  and 
all  the  usual  bewhirlings  of  the  Great  Babal,  and  mine 
being  such  very  petty  events  to  narrate,  but  (equally) 
in  default  of  anything  more  stirring,  narratable  some- 
how or  other.  .  .  . 

The  blow  was  given  to  the  intended  dinner  of 
to-day  by  Clericus  Sanders  sending  over  a  man  and 
horse  to  mention  the  death  of  an  aunt,  which  obliged 
him  to  give  up  dining  with  us  and  so  the  Salmon  from 
Exeter  and  the  green-pea  soup  and  the  chickens  and 
jellies  have  to  be  eaten  at  an  early  dinner  to-day — a 
"  Comble  de  richesse"  the  hot  weather  not  permitting 
delays.  .  .  . 

Julia  was  telling  me  that  a  friend  of  Mrs.  Joy's 
had  seen  Mrs.  B.  at  St.  Bennett's  Church  lately.  He 
was  so  much  struck  by  her  interesting  appearance 
and  melancholy  expression  that  she  said  she  could  not 
help  feeling  more  leniently  towards  her.  "Pray how 
was  she  dressed  ?  "  asked  Mrs.  Joy.  "  Oh,  beautifully 
dressed — a  white  lace  bonnet  with  blush  roses,"  etc. 
"  Well,  then,  I  don't  pity  her,"  said  Mrs.  Joy,  "  for  if 
she  were  penitent  she  would  wear  a  slouch  bonnet  and 
print  dress  so  as  to  attract  as  little  attention  as  pos- 
sible." It  seems  that  after  the  scene  between  Mrs.  B. 
and  Mr.  W.  was  discovered,  she  had  a  long  conversa- 
tion with  her  husband  beginning  (by  her  saying),  "  I 
may  as  well  tell  you  all  my  history,"  and  confessing 
(to  him)  several  other  similar  adventures,  but  conclud- 
ing by  declaring  that  all  along  Mr.  B.  was  the  only 
person  she  ever  really  loved.  Perhaps  she  confesses 
to  Mr.  Bennett  and  may  be  reformed  under  his  auspices, 
and  made  publicly  to  confess  her  sins  before  the  con- 
gregation according  to  the  Rubric.  Some  Americans, 
Mr.  and  Miss  Joy  (cousins  to  the  late  Mr.  Joy)  were 
staying  here  before  I  came,  and  Mrs.  Wilson  told  me 
their  servant  amused  her  so  much  by  his  free  and 

214 


JENNY  LIND 

easiness  ;  he  never  waited  at  table  or  appeared  with 
the  other  servants  in  the  house,  but  one  evening 
Mrs.  Wilson  was  going  to  walk  out  with  Miss  Joy  when 
a  fashionably  dressed  man  with  a  slight  bow  joined 
them,  and  walking  beside  Miss  Joy,  discussed  the 
various  shrubs  and  talked  quite  at  his  ease,  and  this 
turned  out  to  be  the  servant.  .  .  . 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

ST.  LEWKES,  BERWICK  ST., 

Is*  July,  1847. 

True,  there  may  be  a  slight  difference  in  the  shape 
of  topics  relating  to  Babylon  and  Rockbeare.  But 
after  all  what  difference  in  magnitude  ?  Who  knows 
how  to  measure  such  magnitude?  (I  have  only  ten 
minutes),  and  for  my  own  part  I  think  the  spoiling  of 
a  pudding  quite  as  important  as  the  Queen  choosing 
to  ride  to  Regent's  Park  instead  of  up  Rotten  Row, 
or  the  consecration  of  a  dozen  pilsters  to  an  office 
that  will  multiply  50  fold  their  pilsomeness  and  their 
conceit. 

I  was  in  the  Chancel  close  by  the  rails  with  about 
150  clergy.  Robed.  It  was  good  to  see  Bennett 
utterly  neglecting  his  prayer  to  watch  the  rubrical 
movements  as  cat  watches  mouse.  No  doubt  my 
neighbour  thought  it  good  me  neglecting  mine  to 
watch  Bennett.  I  went  last  night  to  the  Duffs'.* 
Lind  was  to  have  been  there,  but  the  Queen  had  secured 
her.  There  were  Bishops,  actors,  Wigan  and  wife, 
Hans  Anderson,  Milmans,  Elliots,  Monteagles,  Proc- 
ters, and  I  don't  know  who.  I  am  going  to  dine  at 
the  Quivers',  and  then  to  Mrs.  Gladstone's.  I  daresay 
Thackeray  will  be  here  for  an  hour  to-night.  Mrs. 
Wigan  told  me  last  night  she  had  had  a  triumph. 

*  The  Duff-Gordons. 
215 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

She  had  always  said  I  was  like  Schiller — which  Tom 
Taylor  denied.  She  had  taken  a  bust  of  Schiller  to 
Duff  and  asked  her  which  of  her  guests  it  was  like, 
and  Duff  at  once  said  me — and  that  another  had  also 
found  it.  I  recollect  thinking  something  of  the  sort 
myself.  Well,  I  shall  be  really  "  too  late  "  if  I  do  not 
close.  Mrs.  Carlyle  said  to  me  last  night  that  every- 
body told  her  what  a  charming  person  you  are.  Miss 
Wynn  had  told  me  that  she  said  so  to  her. 

Most  affectionately  yours, 

W.  H.  BROOKFIELD. 

Mr.  Brookfield  and  Harry  Hallam  went  up  to  Cam- 
bridge at  about  this  time  in  order  to  assist  at  the  Prince 
Consort's  Installation  as  Chancellor,  which  visit  gave 
occasion  for  the  following  series  of  letters.  First  of  all 
he  mentions  the  lines  current  at  the  time  : 

"  A  prince  is  on  this  side — a  peer  is  on  that ; 

We  do  not  ask  which  is  the  brighter  ; 
But  we  give  up  the  boy  who  invented  the  hat 
For  the  man  who  protected  the  Mitre." 

TRINITY  COLLEGE, 

CAMBRIDGE, 
Saturday,  4.45  p.m.     3rd  July,  1847. 

We  have  only  just  arrived  —  weather  perfect  — 
the  place  none  the  better  for  frivolous  preparations. 
We  are  too  late  for  Hall  (dinner),  the  train  very  full 
and  slow — 

We  are  just  ordering  dinner  in  this  apartment. 
Sunday  morn,  4th  July. 

It  was  to  no  purpose  posting  this  last  night — 
as  it  would  only  have  remained  in  London  all  to-day — 
reaching  you  no  sooner  than  it  will  now.  I  don't 

216 


HIGH  JINKS  AT  TRINITY 

remember  if  I  told  you  in  yesterday's  letter  to  direct 
to  me  here — if  not,  I  shall  hardly  hear  from  you  till — 
bless  me — Thursday — as  we  are  two  days  removed, 
the  great  gulph  of  London  roaring  between.  Well, 
we  had  our  dinner  at  7  yesterday  from  the  College 
kitchens.  Soup  a  la  bonne  femme — soles  a  la  mauvaise 
femme — neck  of  mutton  a  la  death* — quarter  of  lamb 
a  la  deuce  knows  what — croquettes  and  cutlets — 
champagne,  claret  and  sherry. 

They  are  all  very  nice  fellows  but  not  equal  to  Harry. 
This  morning  we  were  up  at  7,  at  chapel  at  8.  Harry 
read  the  first  lesson — not  very  like  a  curate  of  Ben- 
nett's. It  was  pleasant  to  sit  under  his  ministry. 
Bentinck  —  Gibbs  —  Sergeant  —  Lushington  —  Grey  — 
Maine — are  all  breakfasting  here.  The  oldest  of  them 
10  years  younger  than  myself.  I  don't  like  the  place 
half  so  well  as  in  full  term.  It  is  full  of  strangers 
and  masters  of  arts — but  it  is  the  students  that  give 
the  character  to  it.  Great  numbers  are  coming  up 
to-day  and  to-morrow.  Tuesday  will  be  the  great  day. 
The  Queen  will  dine  that  day  in  our  Hall — when 
admission  is  to  be  only  by  ticket  of  invitation — and 
I  believe  I  shall  not  get  one — they  are  obliged  to  draw 
some  line — and  I  fancy  the  line  is  under  those  who 
have  been  fellows  or  are  persons  either  of  title  or  of 
decided  distinction — in  none  of  which  classes  do  I  find 
a  place. 

But  it  is  not  the  great  doings  that  would  afford  me 
pleasure  here — but  the  common  everyday  doings. 
Coming  up  yesterday  the  joke  was  to  pretend  we  were 
not  Cambridge  men.  And  after  various  remarks  made 
in  the  character  of  aliens — such  as  "  What  is  going  on 
at  Cambridge  ?  Is  Goulburn  or  Lefevre,  Chancellor  ? 
Shall  we  be  able  to  get  on  to  Huntingdon  to-night  ? 

*  Death  was  the  name  of  the  Cambridge  butcher. 
217 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

&c.,  and  other  equally  facetious  buffooneries  from 
Harry,  Lush,  and  self — without  much  effect  on  our 
fellow-passengers,  Harry  felt  called  upon  to  enquire 
of  Lush  :  if  parties  were  allowed  to  see  King's  College 
Chapel  (which  is,  you  know,  the  lion  of  Cambridge), 
and  if  so  whether  one  purchased  tickets — to  which 
I  replied,  '  You  noodle,  King's  College  Chapel  is 
at  Windsor."  This  drew  the  small  collegian,  and  he 
eagerly  broke  in  to  assure  me  that  I  was  wrong — and 
that  there  would  be  no  difficulty  in  seeing  it  without 
payment,  &c.,  &c.,  &c.,  which  Harry  received  with 
tolerable  gravity — but  I  was  obliged  to  find  in  the 
Number  of  Dombey  in  my  hand  an  apology  for 
laughing. 

The  place  is  rather  saddening.  Things  are  just 
the  same  as  on  a  broad  hot  summer's  day,  16  years  ago. 
The  same  pigeons  hovering  about  the  ever-murmuring 
fountain,  living  nobody  knows  how,  wild  yet  quite 
tame — having  nests  somewhere  about  the  holes  and 
corners ;  the  same  bells  ringing  the  same  chimes, 
the  same  customs  and  observances,  everything  but 
the  same  faces,  for  even  those  that  stand  on  the 
same  shoulders  are  grown  older.  Which  is  not  exhilar- 
ating. God  bless  you. 

TRINITY  COLLEGE, 

CAMBRIDGE, 

5th  July,  1847. 

My  blunder  about  the  letter  has  placed  me  in  a 
position  of  the  most  questionable  veracity.  I  have 
nothing  to  answer  ; — and  besides  feel  all  my  wits 
stodged  and  stupefied  by  the  enormous  quantities  of 
humble  pie  which  in  consequence  of  that  fatal  step 
I  have  been  compelled  to  masticate.  I  have  never 
been  my  own  man  since  I  found  that  unblessed  letter 
on  my  table  here  ;  everybody  says  that  I  am  altered — 

218 


'  TWELFTH  NIGHT ' 

and  H.  F.  H.  has  locked  up  my  razors,  and  I  shall  never 
cease  to  deplore  that  I  o!id  not  fling  it  into  the  Cam 
and  deny  that  I  knew  anything  about  it.  Perhaps 
the  agony  that  I  have  suffered  may  in  some  measure 
atone  for  a  fault  which  if  I  had  the  recklessness  to 
commit  I  had  not  the  baseness  to  conceal. 

Well,  I  dined  in  Hall  yesterday,  not  so  nice  as  if 
the  place  were  in  its  normal  condition.  I  sate  next 
Dandy  Ellison  and  Pranose  Ellison  of  Smedleyan 
connection — and  Bayley  who  writes  for  the  Times. 
We  laughed  a  good  deal.  After  Hall,  Chapel,  which 
I  did  not  like  very,  very  much.  Then  the  Shake- 
speare— the  Cave  as  they  call  it.  "  Twelfth  Night  " 
was  read.  Sir  Toby  was  Bentinck's  part,  I  fancy, 
and  so  it  was  given  to  him.  Harry  read  Viola  un- 
commonly well — as  did  Lushington  the  clown — won- 
derfully. All  was  exceedingly  well  read — much  better 
than  we  did  it  in  my  time.  I  had  Malvolio,  which  I 
could  make  nothing  of,  Sir  Toby  was  the  part  for  me — 
nevertheless,  all  went  off  well.  Venables,  Chapman 
and  Merivale,  with  myself  were  the  only  oldsters, 
and  wTere  charmed  with  the  youngsters.  We  all 
thought  it  if  not  the  best — one  of  the  very  best  evenings 
we  had  ever  known.  We  were  thirteen  or  fourteen. 
I  can  give  you  no  conception  of  Harry's  quiet  absurd- 
ity. So  different  for  instance  from  mine,  which  was 
always  bustling  and  noisy. 

We  retired  to  our  beds  by  the  grey  light  of  2.59. 
At  8.45  I  rose  and  rushed  to  breakfast  with  Kay 
Shuttle  worth,  who  had  invited  me  overnight.  Harness 
there.  Very  pleasant.  Since  then,  all  the  uproar  has 
been  going  on.  Our  great  court  full  of  folks  walking 
about  and  waiting  for  the  Queen's  arrival.  A  few 
ladies — but  comparatively  few — mostly  M.A.'s  (I  do 
not  mean  persons  standing  in  any  maternal  relation 
to  filial  parties  but  graduates  in  the  position  of  Masters 

219 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

of  those  Arts  which  at  once  soften  and  adorn  society. 
A  troop  of  dismounted  Horse  Guards  turned  into  the 
court  looked  incongruous.  At  about  12.30  the 
old  duke  came  pacing  across  the  court  in  his  scarlet 
doctor's  gown  on  a  full  dress  black  suit  and  a  doctor's 
hat.  You  can  guess  what  a  locomotive  mob  of  gowns 
surrounded  and  accompanied  him.  It  was  worth 
seeing.  The  Queen  came  at  1.30.  Well  received. 

Our  rooms  are  in  the  great  court  and  command 
everything.  It  happened  that  the  Queen's  particular 
carriage  with  gorgeous  red  coachman  was  drawn  up 
(empty)  just  under  our  window — and  as  Harry  and 
others  were  looking  out  as  I  happened  to  cross  the  court 
— I  felt  it  my  duty  as  I  passed  so  finely  dressed  a  party 
as  that  coachman  to  take  off  my  hat  with  all  the 
gravity  I  could,  upon  which  the  splendacious  func- 
tionary with  no  less  command  of  countenance  removed 
his  own,  to  the  infinite  joy  of  the  youngsters  in  the 
window.  The  best  of  it  was  Milnes  maintained  that 
there  was  no  joke  in  it — as  the  Queen's  own  coachman 
is  by  office  an  Esquire  ! 

I  am  not  quite  sure  after  all  that  there  is  much  to 
regret  in  your  not  being  here  at  this  time.  There  is  a 
great  deal  of  nonsense  which  is  ten  times  better  done 
in  London,  and  I  would  a  great  deal  rather  you  were 
here  in  the  middle  of  term  if  it  could  ever  be  managed. 
To-night  I  am  invited  to  the  Nevilles'  at  Magdalen. 
I  must  to  Hall.  I  am  to  have  no  ticket  for  the  dinner 
tomorrow — a  very  slight  privation  indeed.  I  shall 
have  a  much  pleasant er  with  Venables  in  Jesus  Hall. 
Many  persons  with  stronger  claims  than  myself  are 
excluded.  It  would,  after  all,  be  only  like  a  dinner  in 
Freemasons'  Hall,  so  that  I  really  do  not  care  tho' 
I  had  brought  down  those  shorts  which  you  so  much 
admire.  I  have  tickets  for  the  Senate  House  like 
every  other  M.A. — that  for  to-day  remains  idle  in  my 

220 


WORDSWORTH,  THE  POET,  AND  ANOTHER 

pocket,  and  I  suspect  that  for  to-morrow  is  not  unlikely 
to  do  the  same.  It  will  be  rather  good  to  have  come 
down  to  the  installation  without  witnessing  it.  Every- 
body goes  away  Wednesday,  H.  F.  H.,  for  example, 
I  shall  stay  for  three  quiet  days,  which  I  think  I  shall 
like  very  much. 

Mr.  Ait  chef  aitch  has  just  entered  and  desires 
his  love — he  is  imprecating  final  dissolution  upon  all  his 
stars  for  the  besotted  state  of  mind  which  permitted 
him  to  commit  going  to  the  Senate  House  to  see 
the  Albert  doings.  He  commends  the  common  sense 
no  less  than  the  sense  of  epistolary  duty  which  detained 
me  in  my  room. 

I  must  now  leave  you  for  Hall  festivities — so  good- 
bye. 

Mr.  Brookfield  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

TRINITY  COLLEGE,  CAMBRIDGE, 

Gth  July,  1847. 
My  dearest  Jane, 

After  writing  yesterday  I  done  in  Hall — sate  near 
some  special  pilsters — one  of  whom  asked  what  relation 
Wordsworth  the  poet  was  to  the  great  Wordsworth 
(meaning  the  late  Master  of  Trinity)  ?  It  was  a 
singularly  dull  Hall,  Sir  Harry  Smith  was  there — 
his  health  proposed  by  Sedgwick  and  very  rapturously 
received  ;  and  it  followed  of  course  that  the  youngsters 
deride  him  as  a  humbug  without  any  pretentious  to 
military  renown.  After  Hall  I  went  to  Magdalene. 
There  was  tea  drinking  on  the  grass.  Bishops  Oxford 
and  London,  Sir  R.  and  Lady  Peel,  Coutts,  Rogers, 
&c.,  there. 

I  soon  retired,  there  being  a  "  cave  "  here.  I 
found  them  reading  "  2  gents  of  Verona."  Same 
party  as  night  before  with  Milnes.  Harry  and  I  retired 
at  2.30,  and  at  9  I  rose  to  go  to  breakfast  with  the 

221 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

Nevilles — everybody  had  done — but  it  was  that  kind 
of  breakfast  which  admits  of  idlers  carrying  it  to  any 
length. 

Then  came  the  great  business  of  Installation,  to 
which  I  did  not  go.  A  great  horticultural  fete  followed, 
to  which  I  did  not  go.  And  this  evening  will  be  the 
banquet  in  Trinity,  to  which  I  cannot  go.  I  got  a 
ticket  for  my  uncle  Preston  who,  I  believe,  came  up 
to-day  on  purpose,  having  gone  down  yesterday. 
To-morrow  comes  the  great  dejeuner  in  Trinity — al 
fresco — with  dancing,  &c.,  in  the  walks  of  St.  John's — 
to  which  I  shall  not  go.  Then  I  fancy  every  one  goes 
home. 

The  cave  derives  its  name  in  one  of  those  indistinct 
ways  which  do  lead  to  names.  The  word  is  connected 
with  the  melodramatic  business — in  which  a  cave  is  as 
necessary  as  a  dungeon  is  for  the  authoress  of  the 
Mysteries  of  Udolpho.  They  got  to  call  themselves, 
therefore,  a  cave  of  bandits — whence — &c. 

I  cannot  help  thinking  that  I  have  been  hardly 
treated  by  Harry.  As  after  I  have  kindly  permitted 
him  to  use  one  of  my  rooms  he  has  been  perpetually 
employed  in  introducing  Juice  and  Paphists  in  various 
disguises — they  may  differ  in  non-essentials  and  in 
speculative  points  of  doctrine  but  they  are  equally 
offensive  to  me  and  pleasing  to  themselves.  It  is 
supposed  that  an  attachment  which  I  fear  will  be 
highly  disagreeable  to  Mr.  Hallam's  phelins  has  grown 
up  between  H.  F.  H.  and  the  celebrated  contralto. 
I  allude  to  Alboni.  He  insisted,  in  spite  of  Thompson's 
remonstrances,  in  introducing  her  to  our  cave  last  night. 
The  great  T —  instantly  saw  through  the  flimsy  dis- 
guise of  the  scarlet  habiliments  of  a  Dr.  of  Seville  Law 
in  which  he  vainly  endeavoured  to  conceal  her.  Every 
day  when  we  go  into  'all  H.  F.  retires  to  take  a  petit 
diner  at  her  lodgings — and  returns  at  a  late  hour 

222 


"  A  FIT  OF  DOLEFULNESS  " 

of  the  evening  reeking  with  champagne  and  singing 
"  catches  "  of  her  favourite  hairs.  I  cannot  say  for 
my  own  part  that  I  see  this  in  a  very  bad  light.  They 
are  well  suited.  His  strong  attachment  to  mewsic 
and  his  excellent  tenor  voice  have  made  rapid  progress 
and  he  executed  a  fugue  from  Purcell's  "  Macbeth  " 
with  a  precision  which  would  draw  three  souls  out  of 
one  Weaver. 

I  need  not  say  that  every  syllable  of  this  paragraph 
must  be  true  as  I  have  written  it  down  from  the  verbal 
dictation  of  the  gent,  himself. 


Mrs.  to  Mr.  Brookfield  : 

ROCKBEARE  HOUSE, 

NEAR  EXETER. 
My  dearest  William, 

I  can't  help  fancying  there  is  a  tinge  of  sadness 
running  through  each  one  of  your  Trinity  letters,  and 
I  feel  somewhat  of  the  same  myself,  and  as  if  I  could 
not  fill  a  letter ;  your  letter  was  eminently  "  worth 
sending,"  but  I  don't  fancy  I  have  anything  to  say, 
except  that  I  was  seized  with  a  fit  of  dolefulness  last 
night  about  being  with  you  again,  and  not  having  any 
pied  a  terre  in  London  or  anywhere  else  at  present, 
gives  one  a  Citizen  of  the  World,  Wandering  Jew, 
sensation. 

The  event  of  a  country  house,  the  going  in  to 
the  nearest  town,  has  been  talked  of  for  to-day,  so 
that  I  may  be  interrupted  to  get  ready  for  Exeter. 

Do  you  recollect  Fanshawe  putting  it  to  his  wife 
during  one  of  her  bursts  of  extolment  of  the  masculine 
persuasion,  whether  she  would  rather  apply  to  young 
Slavery  for  advice  than  to  a  sensible  female  ?  I  have 
been  reminded  of  that  by  the  sensation  of  mockery 
and  sell,  conveyed  by  the  presence  of  a  coat  and 

223 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

trousered  individual  bearing  the  exterior  of  a  man 
and  occupying  a  place  in  the  house  just  such  an  one 
as  might  be  so  far  otherwise  and  sublimely  filled. 
I  sit  in  inward  chafement  and  ill-natured  indignation 
while  the  pill  goes  on  of  "  What  we  do  at  Oxford."  Who 
in  the  world  cares  what  is  done  at  such  a  place  ? 
And  so  I  have  to  school  myself  into  Christian  toleration 
and  benevolence,  but  one  is  so  little  accustomed  to 
be  much  with  any  but  clever  men,  that  one  forgets  that 
all  is  not  gold  that  glitters,  or  man,  like  that  wears  the 
garb  of  man,  and  that  there  are  very  worthy  well- 
informed  individuals  giving  their  opinions,  and  presum- 
ing to  profess  opinions,  who  are  so  totally  and  utterly 
different  to  the  "  clever  men  "  to  whom  I  allude  ;  that 
they  might  just  as  well  be  Bushmen  or  Baboons  at 
once,  for  any  glimmer  of  understanding  even  of  one's 
ordinary  home  dialect  it  would  be  vain  to  look  for. 
Mr.  Parr  is  enlightened  and  unbigoted,  at  all  events, 
and  I  like  to  get  him  to  talk,  but  the  "  young  Oxford 
man,"  with  a  dash  of  the  wit  of  George  Ward  about  him, 
you  can  fancy  being  slightly  provoking,  good-natured, 
and  otherwise  inoffensive  as  he  is. 

I  feel  wrathful  at  Bentinck  for  not  giving  you 
Sir  Toby,  but  should  like  to  have  listened  to  the 
whole  thing  behind  the  door, — and  should  like  to 
have  seen  your  boy's  play  with  Her  Majesty's  coach- 
man. Chapman  I  should  have  feared  might  have 
been  a  somewhat  verjuicy  ingredient  among  the  rest 
in  the  Cave.  The  last  No.  of  "  Vanity  Fair  "  is  ex- 
ceedingly good,  I  think,  but  I  begin  to  wish  he  would 
give  Amelia  a  few  more  brains.  Julia  read  it  and  rates 
it  (even  on  such  a  mere  scrap  of  it)  much  above  Dickens. 

I  don't  suppose  the  Licentiate  would  spare  Harry 
to  come,  pleasant  as  it  would  be  to  us  to  have  him, 
indeed  to  me  the  next  best  thing  to  having  you,  as 
he  would  come  redolent  of  you  and  Cambridge. 

224 


FRANK  LUSHINGTON 

Mr.  Brookfield  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

TRINITY  COLLEGE, 

CAMBRIDGE, 

7th  July,  1847. 
My  dearest  Desdemona, 

Leisure  fails  this  and  every  day,  but  I  must  thank 
you  for  this  afternoon's  letter  which  was  duly  funny. 
Unhappily,  Harry  could  enjoy  no  portion  of  it  as  he  did 
of  yesterday's — for  he  had  fled  an  hour  before  it  came. 

Yesterday  I  dined  in  Jesus  Hall.  Venables  my 
host.  There  were  ladies.  I  never  saw  that  persuasion 
in  any  Hall  before.  The  dinner  was  good  and  suffi- 
ciently pleasant.  All  was  over  by  8  o'clock  (we  dined 
at  6),  and  Ven.  and  I  and  Tom  Lushington  walked 
in  the  walks,  walkddd  in  the  walksksksks.  Then  into 
Trinity  where  parties  accumulated — this  having  been 
the  rendezvous  of  the  wise  and  good.  Milnes  and  I 
sang.  Horace  Mansfield  had  stolen  an  enormous  pine 
from  the  Hall  dinner  (the  Queen's  dinner)  which  was 
the  object  of  much  witticism — the  best  being  Frank 
Lushington's  "  A  poor  thing,  Sir — but  mine  own." 
(Touchstone).  A  reception  was  going  on  at  the 
Queen's  rooms  in  the  Lodge  (which  means  the  Master's 
House  in  the  College).  This  enlivened  the  Court, 
but  you  would  be  struck  with  the  utter  indifference 
of  all  the  kind  of  men  in  our  rooms  to  this  sort  of 
business.  By  about  12  most  had  gone.  We  had  had 
Merivale,  Blakesley,  Stanley  (who  wrote  Arnold's  life), 
Signor  Conaro  of  Venice,  Mansfield,  Gray,  Frank  Lush- 
ington, Harry,  Self,  Venables  and  others.  Only  five 
remained  when  I  proposed  reading  part  of  a  play, 
each  one  taking  the  part  that  came  successively,  read- 
ing in  a  ring — so  that,  for  instance,  I  began — next 
party  that  spoke  would  be  Harry — next  Lushington, 
&c.,  straight  away  round  and  round  so  that  one  man 
in  his  time  played  many  parts.  The  absurdity  of  this 

225 

16— (2309) 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

I  cannot  describe — we  laughed  into  fits — but  the 
remarkable  thing  is  the  gravity  of  these  youngsters 
when  there  is  need  of  it.  Thus  Harry  would  be  reading 
Polonius,  Laertes,  or  Ophelia  with  the  most  shameless 
attempts  at  propriety,  while  we  were  all  splitting 
around — and  he  was  equally  convulsed  when  others 
than  himself  were  reading.  At  length  we  were  obliged 
to  give  it  up.  At  3  we  retired.  This  morning  Prince 
Albert  held  a  levee.  I  was  eligible  to  that,  but  of 
course  did  not  go.  So  that  I  have  been  absolutely 
to  nothing.  Monday's  Senate  House,  Tuesday's  In- 
stallation, Levee,  nothing  have  I  been  to,  but  such 
fun  with  these  fellows  of  whom  even  if  Harry  is  the 
best — the  rest  are  really  worthy  of  him.  Very  good 
indeed.  We  oldsters  are  quite  of  one  mind  about  that 
— and  I  like  them  excessively.  To-morrow  they  will 
all  be  gone,  but  I  wish  to  see  the  place  at  quiet. 

God  bless  thee,  wretch.  Evermore  thine  most 
affectionately. 

W.  H.  BROOKFIELD. 

Mr.  Brookfield  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

TRINITY  COLLEGE,  CAMBRIDGE, 

8th  July,  1847. 
My  dearest  Person, 

I  don't  quite  recollect  where  I  left  off  last  night. 
Most  likely  before  the  evening  meet,  which  was 
very  good,  in  my  rooms.  Merivale,  Thompson,  Bayly, 
Lush,  Mansfield,  Gray,  Maine,  &c.  &c.,  &c.,  the  very 
cream  of  Society.  Lots  of  good  things  said,  but  it 
was  a  little  funny  to  see  the  decided  line  between  the 
old  (my)  and  new  (H.  F.  H.'s)  generation ;  the  latter 
scarcely  speaking,  though  not  a  jot  inferior  birds. 
I  told  stories — so  Venables.  One  was  of  a  gyp  whom 
I  had  met  in  the  street  yesterday  and  who  greeted  me: 
"  La,  sir,  I  knew  you  again  first  moment  you  came 

226 


A  GRACEFUL  COMPLIMENT 

into  the  Court.  Many  a  time  I  have  laughed  out  when 
you  have  been  at  tab]e  !  No  doubt  you  are  a  good 
deal  altered  from  what  you  was."  "  Not  at  all,  Plea- 
sance  (that  is  his  quaint  name),  there  was  nothing  in 
me  to  alter."  "  Oh,  no,  sir — I  only  mean  you  are  a 
little  dried  down  from  what  you  was." 

The  only  thing  I  have  seen  here  worthy  of  you 
is  the  Cave.  By  George  !  what  a  good  Bandit  you 
would  make.  A  complete  Bandit  epistle  yours  of  to- 
day. That  wretched  Oxford  daisy.  My  goodness ! 
why  don't  you  make  him  into  soup  for  the  poor  ?  I 
met  Mrs.  Fisher  in  our  anti-chapel  this  morning  who 
"  presumed  that  you  lived  so  much  in  that  state  of 
divorce,  &c.,  not  without  benefit  to  the  Jane  Elton 
bloom  which  was  still  celebrated." 

And,  by  Jove,  I  must  say  that  tho'  I  have  seen 
numberless  gracefuls  here,  I  have  not  seen  one  a 
quarter  so  good-looking. 

Your  humble 

W.  H.  BROOKFIELD. 

Harry  Hallam  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

TRIN.  COL.,  CAM., 

9th  July,  1847. 
My  dear  Jane, 

I  must  make  an  elaborate  apology  to  his  reverence 
in  coolly  assuming  the  ownership  of  the  apartment 
and  opening  a  general  Cremorne  Gardens  for  all  my 
friends,  a  varying  number  of  whom,  from  six  to  fifteen 
at  a  time,  poured  in  and  played  off  their  bear  pranks 
from  ten  in  the  morning  till  three  in  the  morning 
inclusive, — the  other  seven  hours  being  allotted  to 
rapid  slumber.  The  experiment  was  a  hazardous  one, 
based  upon  unlimited  faith  in  the  tolerance  of  his 
Apostolic  disposition,  but  unless  his  practice  belies 
his  preaching,  and  he  relapsed  into  the  (imputed) 

227 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

black  blood  habit  of  sacrificing  veracity  to  kindness, 
he  managed  to  extract  some  amusement  from  my 
audacious  brutality  of  conduct.  However,  I  was  far 
too  pleased  at  getting  him  down  to  mix  with  the  real 
modern  cave  not  to  be  determined  at  any  risk  to  be 
exhibited  in  the  privilegical  character  of  a  real  lion- 
keeper,  and  he  roared  most  good-naturedly  and 
effectually  till  the  wild  unpolished  hearts  of  the  young 
Bandit-brethren  were  overpowered  with  their  emotions 
and  longed  to  embrace  him  in  affectionate  brotherhood. 
I  fear  his  first  evening  was  dull  for  him,  a  select 
party  of  youths  being  obstinately  bent  in  discussing 
the  chances  of  Lefevre's  election,  and  you  are  too  well 
aware  of  the  helpless  inventive  jackery  of  the  Idiotry 
who  presided  at  the  dish  covers,  to  suppose  that  though 
disgusted  at  their  folly,  he  had  the  wit  or  tact  to  turn 
the  conversation  into  a  more  genial  channel.  At  12 
we  dispersed,  and  walked  melanchololily  in  the  clois- 
ters, wishing  for  you  to  see  the  Court  by  moonlight,  to 
hear  the  plashing  of  the  fountain,  and  to  enjoy  your 
midnight  weed  under  the  piazza.  Sunday  morning 
having  secured  by  a  decent  attendance  on  the  eccle- 
siastical ritual  an  immunity  for  the  profaner  enjoy- 
ments of  the  rest  of  the  day,  at  about  10  o'clock 
commenced  that  singularly  well-defined  and  punctual 
meal,  a  Cambridge  breakfast,  lasting  with  changes  of 
parties  breakfasting  till  4  o'clock,  when  the  majority 
of  the  world  being  Fellows  and  Masters  of  Arts  retired 
into  their  College  Hall,  and  I  meekly  retired  to  a  small 
college  to  eat  peas  and  rice  pudding,  the  only  dinner 
I  thought  it  prudent  to  take  during  three  days  of  such 
intense,  and  protracted  debauchery.  Parties  of  the 
orderly  persuasion  having  again  satisfied  their  pro- 
fessional cravings  by  hearing  vespers,  after  chapel, 
a  collection  of  gents,  books,  cigars,  and  bottles,  slowly 
wended  its  way  to  my  room,  and  preparations  were 

228 


Henry  Fitzmaurice  Hallam. 

At  the  age  of  22. 

From  the  painting  by  George  Richmond,   R.A. 


he  mar  my 

.cious  • 
too  pleased  at 

aed  at 
bited  in  the  i  character 

ost    g^  and 

tually  till 

brethren     ^  •  ed  wit 

to  emb.  ood. 

iect 
sing 

I'ovre's  elec  ou  are  too  well 

inventive  j acker v  of  the  Idiotry 
h  covers,  to  suppose  that  though 
• 

:   ••    u 

sias 

rest  of  the  d 

rity 
jred 
a  small 
nner 
of  such 
es  of  the 
their  pro- 
chapel, 
.  slowly 
is  were 

.:A\  mw\'\ 


,y&//, 


*/S  f/>e  a^f  ^22. . 


BROOKFIELD  AS  "  MALVOLIO  " 

made  for  holding  a  cave.  Considerable  quarrelling  as 
to  the  choice  of  a  play  having  subsided,  a  general 
feeling  to  hear  an  artistic  representation  of  Malvolio 
gained  ground.  How  successfully  has  no  doubt  been 
elaborately  concealed  by  the  party  from  whom  alone 
it  was  hitherto  possible  for  you  to  have  received  your 
information,  but  public  feeling  and  sympathy  ran  high 
on  that  occasion.  There  is  no  one  quality  of  the 
accomplished  dramatic  artist,  which  was  not  sepa- 
rately recognised  by  someone  of  the  audience.  Mans- 
field pointed  out  to  me  in  a  whisper,  the  breadth  and 
brilliancy  of  the  colouring.  Venables,  in  a  low  tone, 
bade  Lushington  remark  the  elegant  distribution  of 
light  and  shade,  while  Milnes  swore  he  should  never 
forget  the  scientific  interpretation  in  a  minor  key 
of  some  of  the  less  remarkable  passages,  or  the  flavour 
which,  as  a  whole,  this  chef  d'auvre  had  left  with  him. 
In  perfect  seriousness,  Malvolio  (Mr.  Brookfield)  and 
Clown  (Mr.  Lushington)  were  read  as  well  as  it  is 
possible  to  hear  them.  Mr.  Bentinck  was  thought 
by  a  good,  though  possibly  a  severe  critic,  not  quite 
up  to  Sir  Toby.  Mr.  Hallam's  interpretation  of  Viola's 
character  was  original,  and  it  may  be  doubted  if  it 
was  correct,  but  there  is  no  doubt  that  assuming  it  to 
be  true,  he  threw  himself  in  a  very  natural  manner, 
and  with  great  spirit,  into  the  vapid  stolidity  which  he 
imputed  to  her.  After  supper,  Locke's  music  to 
Macbeth  was  performed  by  the  whole  strength  of  the 
company.  I  am  afraid  that  the  older  members  were 
not  sufficiently  impressed  by  this  brilliant  performance. 
I  regret  to  say  that  Brookfield  displayed  a  lack  of 
information  on  the  subject  (attributing  several  times 
and  in  a  most  obstinate  manner  the  authorship  to 
Purcell  and  not  to  Locke),  which  considering  his 
ministerial  capacity,  and  the  well-known  fact  that 
Purcell  is  the  author  of  several  anthems,  does  honour 

229 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

neither  to  his  head  nor  his  heart.  I  beg  most  parti- 
cularly that  you  will  never  allude  to  this  confusion  of 
his  by  word  or  letter,  as  I  happen  to  know  that  he  is 
particularly  sore  upon  the  point,  as  well  he  may  be. 
At  least  I  can  only  add,  had  I  made  such  a  mistake, 
I  should  hardly  venture  to  look — "  the  finger  of  scorn 
in  the  face  again." 

Can  I  venture  to  allude  to  what  followed,  or  can  I 
not  ?  How  am  I  to  know  whether  your  principle  is 
that  it  is  only  on  the  boards  of  the  theatres  of  Catholic 
countries,  as  for  instance,  La  Scala  at  Milan,  that 
dramatic  art  is  ancillary  to  revelation,  or  that  Terpsi- 
chore can  throw  light  upon  the  Hebrew  institutions. 
Remember  you  did  see  "  Mose  in  Egitto,"  and  learn 
that  the  story  of  Job  has  been  experimentally  proved 
to  have  still  greater  opportunities  for  representation  in 
a  ballet  of  action,  than  even  the  fortune  and  reverses 
of  the  prudent  legislator  of  the  Jews.  Further  I  shall 
draw  a  veil  over  our  proceedings,  trusting  that  if 
dragged  to  the  light  of  your  pious  censure,  it  may  be 
through  the  elite  medium  of  one  of  two  priests  who 
were  present  on  the  occasion. 

Next  morning,  Job  (Mr.  Bentinck),  returned  to  his 
forensic  occupation  in  his  native  metropolis,  leaving 
me  in  sole  charge  of  a  benighted  foreigner,  called 
Carnaro,  nobile  Veneziano,  ultimo  delta  famiglia  ducale 
dei  Carnari,  e  ancora  amico  del  caro  mio  Cheney,  e  del 
diletto  Conte  Brown.  Vous  concevez,  ma  chere  Jenni, 
combien  cette  intimite  honorable,  m'a  valu  de  felicita- 
tions et  meme  d'envie  de  la  part  de  toute  la  cave,  et 
notamment  de  ton  mari.  At  all  our  subsequent  orgies 
this  noble  stranger  was  an  assiduous  though  possibly 
an  astonished  spectator.  At  least  his  face  betrayed 
a  slight  expression  of  amazement  at  seeing  gents  eat 
pine-apples  with  their  fingers  and  thumb,  and  stick 
candles  in  empty  bottles. 

230 


SHAKESPEARE  AGAIN 

On  the  evening  of  Monday,  we  read  the  "  Two 
Gents  "  Cornaro  present  and  "  bien  fatigue."  It  is  to 
be  observed  that  his  acquaintance  with  English  is,  to 
say  the  most  for  it,  limited.  The  play  did  not  go  off 
quite  as  sprightly  as  the  first  night,  though  Brookfield's 
"  Speed"  was  a  rich  mellow  piece  of  finished  and  mature 
Art.  But  about  1.30  a.m.  the  greatest  event  of  all 
and  the  climax  of  our  happiness  occurred.  Thompson, 
himself,  condescended  to  look  in  upon  us.  I  was 
delighted  that  Brookfield  should  have  an  opportunity 
of  recognising  with  his  own  eyes  the  kindness  and 
condescension  for  which  he  hardly  gives  him  credit. 
He  stayed  for  an  hour,  smoking,  but  it  was  long  before 
I  could  command  my  feelings  enough  to  listen  to  the 
inspired  conversation  of  a  Being,  to  be  seen  in  such 
familiar  intercourse  with  Whom  gave  me  a  constant 
glow  of  pride  and  happiness.  I  am  afraid  that  your 
reverent  connection,  who  is  influenced  by  unworthy 
feelings  against  the  great  god  of  my  idolatry  may  be 
tempted  to  conceal  or  explain  away  the  affability  and 
condescension  of  Thompson,  and  the  unrestrained 
character  of  our  familiar  intercourse  with  him,  and 
thereupon  I  think  it  right  to  make  these  statements. 

On  Tuesday  I  thought  it  my  duty  cautiously  to 
abstain  from  any  expression  of  loyalty  to  our  beloved 
Queen  and  her  Consort,  and  I  passed  the  whole  day 
in  similar  intellectual  and  sensual  enjoyments  to  those 
which  had  marked  Sunday  and  Monday.  An  evening 
of  the  (to  me)  most  fascinating  description  was  sig- 
nalized by  the  kind  consent  of  the  clerical  occupant  of 
the  rooms  to  intone  a  chant  in  the  Somersetshire  accent, 
which  was  rapturously  encored,  and  to  execute  a 
cavatina  on  an  incident  which  happened  at  the  Court 
of  the  Great  Mogul,  which  would  have  been  encored 
up  to  this  moment  had  there  been  any  chance  that 
the  public  ever  could  by  such  a  course  of  action  have 

231 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

satisfied  its  desire  to  hear  it  again.  At  about  2.15 
a.m.  in  the  midst  of  a  heavy  thunderstorm  with  vivid 
lightning,  the  guests,  thinned,  and  epures  by  the 
lateness  of  the  hour,  rushed  impetuously  at  their 
Shakespeares  and  read  the  4th  Act  and  grave-digger 
scene  of  Hamlet,  not  in  parts,  but  (like  boys  at  a  na- 
tional school  perusing  the  Holy  Scriptures  in  public) 
speech  by  speech  in  turn  ;  whereby  the  laughter  and 
enjoyment  of  the  public  was  wrought  up  to  its  highest 
pitch.  The  red  glow  of  the  morning  sun  gilded  the 
clouds  above  the  Chapel,  as  his  reverence  and  myself 
retired  reluctantly  to  bed ;  thereby  concluding  my 
brief  career  of  vice  and  enjoyment ;  and  the  stern 
visage  of  Gully  rose  pointing  to  a  shroud  as  the  speedy 
consequence  of  his  violated  precepts. 

It  is  very  well  for  you,  dear  Jane,  that  you  have  been 
following  the  peaceful  habits  of  the  Parr  menage 
tumbling  in  hay,  and  keeping  in  health,  whereat  the 
hearts  of  them  who  heard  thereof  rejoiced,  and  doth 
rejoice  ; — but  had  it  been  possible  to  introduce  you 
in  perfect  health  and  the  garb  of  the  gentish  persuasion 
to  the  Cambridge  orgies,  the  delight  of  parties  concerned 
in  them  would  have  risen  to  a  giddy  height,  and  been 
quoted  at  an  enormously  high  figure.  I  think  you 
would  have  enjoyed  it  all  amazingly,  for  the  Catholic 
greatness  of  your  disposition  involves  the  composition 
of  a  Bandit  gent. 

It  must  be  amusing  to  your  peaceful  ness,  if  you  get 
accounts  from  the  two  parties  who  tenanted  one  room 
on  that  occasion  wholly  dissonant  and  discordant  in 
their  natures  :  whether  Brookfield  was  pleased  I  know 
not,  but  I  can  only  depose  to  the  immense  popularity 
achieved  by  him  among  the  younger  members  of  the 
Cave,  and  I,  as  the  acknowledged  medium  of  the 
acquaintance  with  him,  received  the  most  touching 
felicitations  for  his  success  on  those  boards. 

232 


"  PUSS  IN  THE  CORNER  " 

Ne  te  tourmente  plus,  ma  ch£re  Genevi&ve,  au  sujet  de 
la  Lind.  Personne  ne  I'a  vu  a  Cambridge,  et  d'ailleurs, 
si  elle  y  etait  venue,  et  que  nous  I'eussions  adoree,  le 
culte  de  son  nom,  n'est-il  pas  joint  au  culte  du  tien,  et 
le  souvenir  de  ses  perfections  aux  souvenirs  de  ceux 
qui  I'ont  premier ement  admiree  ensemble  ?  My  head  is 
running  on  French  phrases,  having  been  assiduously 
plying  the  Italian  with  the  best  I  know,  and  I  think 
that  for  elegance  and  unmeaningness  the  above  may 
vie  with  G.  Sand. 

Ton  tr&s  devoue  et  affectionne. 

H.  F.  H. 


Mrs.  to  Mr.  Brookfield  : 

NEIGHBOURHOOD  OF  EXETER 

IQth  July,  1847. 
My  dearest, 

....  I  was  egregiously  pleased  with  your  note  of 
to-day  as  somehow  I  had  the  sort  of  impression  that 
I  should  be  out  of  favour  with  you  since  writing  to 
bore  you  to  say  when  should  we  2  meet  again  (Dolce 
far  niente)  I  do  not  doubt  but  that  I  could  remain 
obtruding  myself  upon  Rockbeare  endurance  for  a 
fortnight  longer.  .  .  . 

I  was  much  amused  with  your  Gyp  anecdote  and 
wish  you  were  here  and  giving  me  the  benefit  of  all  you 
can  recall  of  your  Bandit  proceedings  which  will  have 
dried  down  out  of  mind,  I  am  afraid,  if  I  don't  see 
you  for  3  weeks.  .  .  .  Last  night,  duets  with 
Mrs.  Wilson  were  prefaced  by  a  game  at  "  Puss  in  the 
Corner  "  with  the  young  gent,  from  Oxford  and  the 
children  during  which  much  uproariousness  took  place 
— the  said  youth  stands  somewhat  in  awe  of  me,  and 
does  not  venture  to  begin  a  remark,  but  looks  sensible 
of  receiving  a  favour  if  I  open  fire  upon  him,  which 

233 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

I  occasionally  attempt.  He  and  Mrs.  Wilson  pull 
together  in  their  walks,  and  apart  in  their  sentiments. 
The  young  man  has  just  come  from  Harrow,  where 
is  a  sort  of  training  school  for  Colonial  Clergy,  so  he 
describes  it.  They  all  wear  a  garb  of  cassock  like  calibre, 
have  matins  and  nones  and  a  good  education  gratis, 
the  major  part  of  them  being  taken  from  the  farmer 
or  still  humbler  walks  of  life.  Owen  deposes  to  their 
being  very  devout  and  very  happy  in  their  minds  and 
not  finding  the  number  of  services  per  diem  at  all 
burdensome.  Mrs.  Wilson  disputes  the  point  and  I 
stand  neuter  with  majestic  mien,  but  am  held  up  (by 
Mrs.  Wilson)  as  being  the  right  person  for  Owen  to 
talk  to  as  we  should  agree  in  our  views. 

Mr.  Buller  told  me  in  his  letter  that  Mr.  Cayley 
Shadwell  told  him  a  Romanist  friend  of  his  had  sent  in 
his  name  to  the  Church  at  Paris  where  the  conversion 
of  the  English  is  continually  prayed  for  and  where 
special  cases  are  brought  forward  by  name.  I  should 
be  in  alarm,  if  I  were  Mr.  Cayley,  and  if  I  wished  very 
much  to  keep  in  a  Protesting  attitude,  "  the  prayer 
of  a  righteous  man,"  &c. 

After  all,  I  have  come  to  the  Pilling  reflection  (which 
I  beg  you  to  enclose  to  your  Aunts  at  Islington  imme- 
diately) that  you  and  H.  F.  H.  and  all  the  Bandits 
dwell  a  deal  too  much  in  the  "  Pride  of  Intellect, 
William,"  and  it  goes  for  almost  a  synonymous  term 
with  you  that  a  man  if  a  genius  is  f  parts  Beatified 
already,  and  if  a  Fool,  unworthy  the  name  of  either 
man  or  demon — and  I  think  it  may  be  a  "  snare  " 
to  you  really  in  earnest. 

I  must  close  my  hasty  letter,  which  won't  reach 
you  till  Monday. 

God  bless  you. 


234 


'  DOUBLE  POSTAGE  " 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

ST.  LUKE'S,  BERWICK  ST.,  OXFORD  ST., 

WJuly,  1847. 
My  dearest  Jane, 

Your  brilliant  letter  of  to-day  did  equal,  "  &c." 
Harry's  is  also  delightfully  clever — but  you  are  not  to 
swallow  his  flummery  about  me. 

I  knew,  of  course,  perfectly  well  what  I  was  doing — 
had  plenty  of  stamps  lying  about  the  table — was  re- 
minded by  parties  (as  if  it  could  possibly  have  escaped 
my  attention)  that  the  letter  was  not  labelled,  and 
that  Her  Majesty  had  deemed  it  prudent  to  enforce 
double  postage  on  the  receiver  when  such  an  omission 
had  been  perpetrated  by  the  sender ;  but  I  know 
my  dear  Jane  that  nothing  could  afford  you  such  happi- 
ness at  your  remote  seclusion  than  the  Laffage  feeling 
that  I  was  committing  the  precise  vices  (for  I  will 
not  trifle  with  morality  by  designating  such  atrocious 
blunders  foibles)  for  which  I  blame  others  and  that 
nothing  could  shed  such  a  flood  of  sunshine  on  your 
letter  writing  hour  as  the  proud  consciousness  that  you 
could  sell  me  cheap. 

"  When  in  London  Tavern  reeking 
Moody  bandits  sit  alone, 
Each  one  in  his  neibor  seeking 
Some  green  spot  to  plant  upon, 
Then  you'll  sigh  and  sadly  ponder 
On  the  friends  'twas  safe  to  sell, 
Absence  makes  the  heart  grow  fonder, 
Cave  of  Bandits  fare  thee  well." 

Such  is  an  extract  from  an  ode  penned  by  the  immortal 
Tom  as  a  formula  of  regret  on  separating  after  an 
evening's  festivity  such  as  has  been  so  graphically 
described  by  Mr.  Aitchphaitch.  And  it  is  admitted 
that  you  are  worthy  to  be  the  wife  of  an  outlaw.  "  My 

235 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

Saphphira  alone  can  be  his  Whyph."  I  must  explain 
that  to  plant  is  to  jin  or  sell  a  person.  And  it  is  im- 
possible to  the  present  race  of  brigands  in  fewer  words 
than  as  "  friends  'tis  safe  to  sell." 

But  yesterday  it  all  came  into  a  close.  The  bridge 
that  had  spanned  12  years  (true  I  have  said  this  before) 
fell  into  shapeless  ruin,  and  I  fell  with  it  into  deep 
waters. 

I  walked  alone  in  the  country  about  Cambridge, 
found  names  of  streets  I  had  forgotten  all  that  time, 
saw  rooms  of  men  that  are  dead,  and  was  more  miser- 
able than  most. 

I  eventuated  in  Merry  Vale's  rooms  where  we  had 
sober  cigar  and  pill.  I  left  at  11,  at  12  to  bed,  so 
stifling  hot  that  I  could  not  sleep,  rose  at  5.30  and  at 
6.45  was  under  way  for  the  station.  Reached  London 
10  o'clock.  Read  your  letter  and  Harry's,  which  was 
not  the  work  of  a  momink. 

You  are  quite  right,  the  Cave  is  not  so  healthy 
as  the  Temperance  of  St.  Luke's,  and  I  am  for  the 
moment  tired  of  excitement. 

Bride  of    Bandit  fare  thee  well.       With  love  to 
the  tamer  citizens  around  you  (why  do  you  not  cut 
their  throats  and  bring  the  money  to  your  outlaw.) 
I  am, 

Yours   most    affectionately, 

ANGELO  GUICCIARDINI. 

In  August  there  was  another  election  at  Cambridge 
for  which  Mr.  Brookfield's  vote  was  desired,  so  he  went 
up  to  record  it  and  wrote  afterwards  concerning  it : 

ST.  LUKE'S  CHURCH,  BERWICK  ST.,  OXFORD  ST. 

3  Aug.,  47. 
Jean  Octavia  Relton, 

I  started  for  Cambridge    at    9.30.     Read 

236 


"  BROOKFIELD,  WILL  YOU  TAKE  A  WALK  ?  " 

newspapers  all  the  way.  Arrived  12.40.  Found  Le- 
fevre  had  a  respectable  minority  but  no  chance. 
Goulburn  and  Fielding  neck  and  neck  with  alternate 
majorities  of  one — which  however  soon  yielded  to  a 
gradual  improvement  on  the  part  of  Goulburn  which 
(as  we  learn  by  telegraph)  has  kept  up  till  12  this  day 
and  at  2  the  poll  closes.  No  doubt  Goulburn  and  Law 
are  the  Members.  I  voted  for  Goulburn  and  Lefevre, 
at  Lefevre's  own  request,  since  it  was  impossible  to 
get  the  latter  in  and  it  became  an  object  to  keep  out 
Fielding.  Goulburn  gave  me  £1 1  17s.  for  my  vote.  I 
could  have  got  £12  ten  minutes  sooner  when  Fielding 
was  1  ahead. 

....  I  saw  several  old  birds,  Spedding  was 
ensconced  in  H.  F.  H.'s  old  rooms.  He  left  before 
Hall.  In  Hall  I  sat  between  Alfred  and  Merivale, 
Thompson  and  H.  Lushington  being  near  at  hand. 
Joe  Romilly  squeaked  out  miserably  thin  jokes — which 
however  passed  current.  Tell  Harry  with  my  humble 
duty  that  Larky  Thompson  (as  he  was  always  called — 
because  he  never  did  lark)  was  infinitely  less  downish, 
having  none  but  cot  ems.  around  him.  He  even  de- 
graded himself  so  far  as  to  put  his  'ed  out  of  the  com- 
bination room  (which  I  had  just  left)  and  call  out,  not 
only  in  the  hearing  of  Mrs.  Haddock  (Harry's  favourite 
sultana)  and  all  other  Bedmaking  and  Gypping  infer- 
iors— but  even  in  the  immediate  presence  of  several 
Masters  of  Arts,  quite  loudly  into  the  Court  "  Brook- 
field,  will  you  take  a  walk  ?  "  I  coloured — stam- 
mered— scraped  my  feet — glittered  about  the  eyes — 
muttered  something  incoherent  about  "  honour — 
happiness — taking  up  his  time — familiarity — what 
would  be  thought  of  it  in  the  college — not  for  me  to 
bandy  compliments,  etc.,  etc.,"  but  it  ended  in  our 
walking  behind  the  colleges.  He  was  quite  affable — 
and  if  it  had  not  been  that  the  excitement  of  a  great 

237 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

honour  conferred  always  rather  interferes  with  enjoy- 
ment I  should  have  thought  it  quite  a  pleasant  walk. 
Of  course  one  never  initiates  subjects  ....  and  as 
he  introduced  plenty  of  remark,  and  as  there  was 
nothink  to  laf  at  I  got  on  very  well." 

It  was  in  speaking  of  this  meeting  in  Spedding's 
rooms  that  Dr.  Thompson  said  of  Mr.  Brookfield, 
"  He  was  by  far  the  most  amusing  man  I  ever  met, 
or  shall  ever  meet.  It  is  not  likely  I  shall  ever  see 
again  a  whole  party,  all  grave  and  learned  men,  lying 
on  the  floor  for  the  purpose  of  unrestrained  laughter, 
while  one  of  their  members  poured  forth,  with  a  per- 
fectly grave  face,  a  succession  of  imaginary  dialogues 
between  characters  real  and  fictitious,  one  exceeding 
the  other  in  humour  and  drollery." 

CLEVEDON  COURT, 

4th  August. 
My  dearest  William, 

I  own  to  the  impeachment  as  to  my  first  two 
letters,  I  was  somehow  out  of  the  writing  vein  and 
destitute  of  facts,  could  not  take  refuge  in  fiction  and 
fancy  (or  any  other  alliteration)  wherewith  to  fill  my 
letters. 

....  At  6  last  night  the  Weatherlys  and  Ceteras 
arrived,  Mrs.  Weatherly  turned  out  to  be  a  Miss  Ford 
whom  up  to  my  grand  climacteric  year  of  15  I  used 
daily  to  see  at  Clifton  without  ever  knowing  her  to 
speak  to.  .  .  .At  the  end  of  the  evening  she  sat 
between  me  and  Papa,  and  now  and  then  between  a 
sigh  and  a  bleat  brought  out  her  little  remarks.  "  Ah  ! 
yes,  how  many  changes  to  be  sure,  since  we  were  both 
young  and  girls  and  unmarried  together  at  Clifton. 

238 


GENIAL  CRITICISM 

Ah  !  but  you  look  just  the  same  as  ever  Mrs.  Brook- 
field,  I  knew  you  directly,  not  at  all  altered.  I  think 
we  must  be  about  the  same  age,"  etc.  (I  believe  she 
must  be  considerably  my  senior,  but  this  by  the  way) 
a  well  meaning,  innocent  little  body,  but  rather 
depressing.  .  .  She  is  a  favourite  with  Papa  in  her 
white  muslin  frock  and  an  immense  silver  cross  on  her 
breast  which  Aggy ,  with  cruel  want  of  reverence,  dragged 
off  with  chubby  clench  and  held  up  to  public  view. 
Harry  has  been  excessively  amused  with  your  account 
of  the  Thompson  interview  which  I  let  him  have — 
and  declares  you  write  inimitably.  I  may  as  well 
send  you  this  by  him,  instead  of  post,  as  he  will  see 
you  to-night  I  suppose,  without  fail. 

On  this  letter  W.  H.  B.  gracefully  comments  : 

"  My  blowing  up  has  done  you  good — this  morning's 
was  even  better  than  the  one  before.  Mrs.  Weatherly 
is  capital.  Aggy  clutching  the  cross  was  perfectly 
graphic.  Between  a  sigh  and  a  bleat  ?  By  George, 
you  must  write  a  book.  This  afternoon  I  have  called 
on  C.  Turner  and  Mary  Tennyson.  I  am  going  to 
drive  with  them  in  half  an  hour.  I  only  sat  a  few 
minutes,  and  going  away  C.  said  in  his  short,  true- 
passing-observation  way  "  We  used  to  be  wits,  now 
we're  going  off,  I  think,  nothing  but  languid  common- 
places." 

To  which  Mrs.  Brookfield  replies  indignantly  : 

"  As  for  C.  Turner,  let  him  speak  of  his  own  Kettled 
wit  if  he  will  but  leave  the  Pot  to  its  untarnished 
brightness.  Interruptions  have  occurred  and  I  fear 
this  won't  be  a  good  letter,  nor  fit  answer  to  yours 
of  this  morning.  The  pending  trial  about  Papa 

239 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

haunts  one,  and  like  a  nightmare  weighs  one  down 
whenever  one  thinks  of  it.  Could  you  find  out  what 
means  are  used  to  buy  up  Reporters  ?  it  would  be 
easily  done  in  Bristol,  but  how  to  keep  the  Times  and 
other  papers  silent  ?  .  .  .  I  am  so  very  sorry  you  missed 
H.  F.  H.,  it  was  an  odd  mistake,  but  it  is  a  consolatory 
thought  to  my  ruffled  mind  that  one  of  the  male  persua- 
sion should  have  fallen  into  a  blunder  over  a  railway 
paper — they  all  took  greatly  to  him  here  and  were 
very  glad  he  came.  Arthur  praising  him  with  a 
spontaneous  warmth  the  evening  after  he  left  and 
then  pedantically  (as  I  told  him)  checking  himself 
with  an  "as  least  as  far  as  I  can  judge  on  so  short  a 
time,  I  am  too  apt  to  make  rash  judgments,  and  take 
sudden  fancies  to  people,  but  still  he  does  seem  a  very 
nice  fellow." 

You  would  have  been  amused  with  Papa,  the  night 
of  the  party,  while  sitting  next  Weatherly  and  near 
me,  suddenly  giving  vent  to  a  loud  groan,  just  such 
an  one  as  he  gives  when  he  wishes  to  express  "  Never 
was  so  tired  in  my  life,"  or  "Is  Arthur  never  going  to 
have  prayers,"  "  Uncommon  dull,  in  short — Knobbed 
Evening  "  or  any  other  of  his  wonted  phrases  in  private 
life.  Arthur,  from  the  other  end  of  the  Drawing-room, 
heard  the  groan,  but  neither  he  nor  I  could  catch  the 
explanatory  whisper  which  followed  and  was  delivered 
into  Mrs.  Weatherly's  ear.  Comparing  notes  after- 
wards we  feared  that  he  had  confided  to  one  of  his 
guests  how  uncommonly  dull  they  all  were.  I  begged 
for  an  explanation  next  day  and  singularly  enough 
he  recollected  the  circumstance — had  been  trying  for 
20  minutes  to  ask  Rhoda  a  question,  but  each  time 
he  attempted  it  she  was  engrossed  in  the  "  most  flippant, 
brilliant  conversation  with  Harry,"  as  fast  as  one  stopped 
the  other  began  and  Papa  could  not  get  in  his  question 
which  was  to  ask  Rhoda  whether  she  ought  not  to  call 

240 


LIFE  AT  CLEVEDON 

on  a  certain  Mrs.  Cave  who  had  accidentally  been 
mentioned  by  the  fair  Weatherly. 


Harry  Hallam  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

RYDE, 

12th  August,  1847. 
My  dearest  Jane, 

The  Licentiate  is  staying  with  his  Premier  and 
does  not  arrive  till  the  afternoon,  and  it  is  imagined 
that  as  he  dislikes  large  houses  he  will  be  out  of  temper 
at  finding  himself  lost  in  a  barracks. 

I  imagine  you,  I  hope  not  delusively,  stronger 
under  the  combined  influence  of  cooler  weather  and 
Rhoda's  example  of  early  hours.  As  usual,  not  a 
syllable  breathed  either  to  the  Jewess*  or  me  as  to 
whether  you  had  not  been  a  martyr  to  daily  headache. 
It  is  true  that  we  habitually  jeer  at  your  sufferings, 
but  you  might  occasionally  brave  our  cold  unsympathy 
by  giving  a  faint  outline  of  your  state  of  strength 
and  painlessness.  The  regular  tenor  of  Clevedon  life 
renders  it  possible  to  trace  your  course  and  think  of 
you  praying  at  9  o'clock,  hamming  at  9.30,  letter- 
writing  till  1  o'clock,  given  over  to  Aggolatoryf  till 
3.0,  driving  on  the  beach  till  5  o'clock,  watching  the 
grass  mown  till  5.30,  reading  Sharp's  Magazine  till 
bed-time,  and  stealing  Dombey  to  sit  up  with. 

A  steamer  containing  the  author  of  my  days  and 
the  Middle  Ages  is  slowly  wending  across  the  Channel, 
filial  duty  sternly  sanctions  the  claims  of  the  post-man, 
and  Poll  observes,  "  Seal  up  your  note." 

Ever  your  most  affectionate 

H.  F.  H. 


*  His  sister  Julia. 

f  Worship  of  Arthur  Elton's  baby  Agnes. 
241 

17—  (2309^ 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

It  was  a  tiresome  law  case  in  which  Sir  Charles  Elton 
was  involved  which  brought  forth  from  his  daughter 
her  ingenuous  question  concerning  Reporters — while  in 
a  letter  of  the  same  date  she  said  "  How  I  wish  that 
someone,  Mr.  Thackeray  for  instance,  would  just  let 
Cockburn  know  the  facts  of  this  plot  against  Papa." 

At  this  time  Mr.  Brookfield  was  seeing  a  great  deal 
of  Mr.  Thackeray,  who  almost  daily  sought  him  out 
in  his  vaults.  And  after  the  case  had  been  tried  in 
Bristol  (Mr.  Brookfield  being  present  "to  the  great 
comfort  of  all  concerned  ")  he  wrote  to  his  wife  : 


L'HORRIBLE    BOUGE, 

26th  Aug.,  1847. 
Dearest  Madam, 

The  Godfather  to  whom  my  present  abode  is 
indebted  for  the  above  designation  sits  beside  me — 
brewing  Vanity— in  a  dreadful  fright  lest  the  month 
of  Sept.  should  arrive  before  No.  next.  I  encountered 
him  in  Piccadilly  on  his  way  to  my  subterranean 
Palace  ;  he  had  asked  me  to  dine,  and  was  coming 
to  say  that  he  meant  it  to  be  at  the  Garrick  and  not 
at  Kensington.  Where  it  will  now  be  I  do  not  quite 
know — but  we  talk  of  a  walk  as  soon  as  I  have  finished 
this. 

I  arrived  at  4.30,  we  were  overtaken  at  Didcot 
by  express.  6d.  additional  (sixpence — twelve  sous 
additional)  transferred  me  to  that  reckless  train,  and 
brought  me  into  London  an  hour  sooner.  John 
Bullar  called  at  the  vault  and  insisted  on  my  going 
up  to  chops  with  him  en  gargon.  Went  up  in  a  tup- 
penny buster.  .  .  .  John  of  course  discussed  the  topic 
with  me.  Had  conceived  the  exactly  true  view  of  it — 

242 


A  SKETCH  BY  THACKERAY 

and  had  written  to  his  Father  to  that  effect.  Said  that 
Wylde  has  towards  Cockburn  much  the  same  feelings 
of  devotion  which  a  certain  potentate  has  towards  holy 
water  ;  [a  sketch  of  the  Devil  and  a  Font  by  himself] 
and  that  did  us  no  harm.  Little  Gaye  I  met  this  morn- 
ing ;  who  spoke  very  kindly  about  it  (not  till  I  led  to 
the  subject).  Of  course  he  at  once  saw  Sir  C.  was  a 
mere  victim  of  design. 

I  wish  very  much  we  could  have  had  Wylde's 
summing  up.  But,  however,  we  need  not  wish.  The 
thing  has  eventuated  as  well  as  it  could  and  better 
than  at  one  time  we  dared  to  hope. 

I  think  a  proper  letter  to  G.  would  be  as  follows  : — 

My  dear  G., 

I  cannot  possibly  say  anything  harsh  to  you  or 
unjust  to  my  husband.  I  have  therefore  no  resource 
but  silence. 

Yours  ever  affectionately, 
JANE. 

I  am  the  only  one  to  whom  G.  would  have  acted 
in  so  extraordinary  a  way.  But  it  is  no  use  raking 
into  the  matter  again.  I  can  only  refer  to  Thackeray's 
pencil  again  for  illustration  of  his  undisguised  feelings 
towards  me  [Sketch  of  the  Devil  and  Font  by  Thack- 
eray*]. I  must  draw  this  very  disjointed  letter  to  a 
close.  It  is  now  agreed  that  T.  shall  go  off  and  write 
till  8,  and  then  we  partake  a  slight  repast  at  the  Garrick. 
Adoo. 

Ever  most  affectionately, 

W.  H.  BROOKFIELD. 


*  For  this  sketch  see  the  Preface. 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

ST.  LUKE'S  CHURCH,  BERWICK  ST., 

27th  Augtist,  47. 
Young  Miss, 

At  eight  last  night  I  proceeded  to  the  Garrick 
where  Mr.  Thackeray  had  been  writing,  dinner  con- 
sisted of  oysters  following  stewed  sammon,  beef  fillets 
with  olives  ensued,  a  grouse  and  cheese  concluded, 
while  champagne  and  claret  accompanied.  We  then 
adjourned  to  another  house  in  company  with  an  old 
medical  gentleman  who  had  been  at  Waterloo.  Thac- 
keray wishing  to  get  some  hints  for  his  forthcoming 
No.  We  smoked  a  little  and  parted  friends  at  about 
twelve.  By  the  bye,  I  should  mention  that  Mr.  T., 
on  my  naming  that  we  were  going  to  Sheffield,  proposed 
to  go  himself,  as  he  has  a  call  to  Derby  on  that  Monday 
to  some  great  meeting  that  is  to  be  held,  and  wondered 
if  we  could  make  a  party  to  Chats  worth  and  Matlock. 
I  am  going  to  meet  him  at  the  Procters'. 


September  finds  Mrs.  Brookfield  staying  at  South- 
ampton, from  whence  she  writes  to  Harry  Hallam  : 

22nd  September,  47. 

At  the  R.  Catholic  Church  yesterday,  the  check 
upon  my  performing  any  strictly  orthodox  evolutions 
such  as  Holy  water,  crossing  oneself,  etc., — was  the 
sight  of  Mr.  Elliot  just  before  me,  also  I  suppose, 
come  to  gaze  and  not  as  a  real  convert.  The  cate- 
chising from  the  altar  was  very  entertaining  .  .  cool 
contempt  inculcated  for  protestants  and  for  their 
present  turn  of  setting  up  crosses  on  their  Churches, 
etc.,  as  a  "  mere  return  to  antiquity,  a  passing  fashion, 
without  attaching  to  them  the  solemn  thoughts  that 

244 


THE  RELIGIOUS  MOVEMENT 

we  attach  to  the  sacred  emblem,"  etc.,  and  the  collo- 
quial style  was  amusing.  "Suppose  one  of  your 
children  had  a  picture  of  your  mother  you  would  not 
feel  the  same  honour  towards  it  as  if  it  really  was  your 
mother,  but  as  it  reminded  you  of  her  what  should  you 
feel  if  another  child  came  and  spat  upon  it  ?  You 
would  be  angry.  .  .  Very  well  .  .  .  that  is  the  answer 
I  should  give  if  accused  of  honouring  the  picture  of 
our  Blessed  Lord  idolatrously." 

He  also  instanced  the  picture  over  our  Altars  of 
a  Crown,  a  Lion  and  a  Unicorn,  and  asked  if  that  was 
more  suitable  than  a  Crucifix  ? 

The  influence  of  the  religious  movement  of  the  day 
is  shown  in  the  acts  of  Mrs.  Brookfield  and  her  cousin 
as  well  as  in  their  letters  (in  which  a  large  part  is  taken 
up  with  criticisms  upon  the  questions  that  arose  and 
the  persons  most  interested  in  them).  When  abroad 
these  two  seem  to  have  attended  Mass  with  some  regu- 
larity, and  when  at  home  to  have  sought  out  different 
churches  in  the  hope  of  getting  difficult  questions 
solved.  Harry  Hallam  says  about  this  time  "The 
Catholic  world  is  devoid  of  interest.  I  invested,  at 
the  expense  of  much  personal  humiliation  at  revealing 
my  Parliamentary  ignorance,  in  a  work  called  '  The 
Stranger's  Guide  to  High  Mass,'  which  satisfactorily 
explains  the  parts  where  bells  are  rung,  a  mystery 
which  I  never  fathomed  as  Catholic  Missals  disdain 
the  facts  :  so  now  I  hope  to  come  out  very  strong  at 
the  first  opportunity.  I  have  visions  of  Sundays 
involving  early  Parliamentary  Rituals,  without  ser- 
mons, to  be  followed  by  Sunday  schools  belonging  to 
parties,  and  then  real  Mass  at  Warwick  Street." 

245 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

Mrs.  to  Mr.  Brookfield  : 

SOUTHAMPTON,  St.  Michael's  Day, 

1847. 
My  dearest  William, 

I   am   sorry    for    the  odious  shares,  but 

Dr.  Wm.  says  the  last  call  has  now  been  made  which 
when  met,  will  leave  the  shareholders  at  liberty  to  look 
out  and  hope  for  profits.  Anne  has  just  enquired  if 
I  am  writing  to  you  and  if  so  if  I  will  express  how  much 
disappointment  you  will  cause  if  you  don't  come, 
she  begs  I  will  put  this  in  a  thoroughly  comfortable 
form  ...  as  being  heartily  felt.  She  admires  the 
present  length  of  your  hair  and  complains  of  your 
threatening  to  have  it  cut  directly  it  is  praised — and 
that  you  know  no  medium  between  the  close  shave 
and  the  luxuriant  flow. 

I  met  Mr.  L.  to-day,  as  radiant  as  ever  with  his 
white  teeth.  He  asked  three  separate  times  "  And 
how's  Brookfield  ?  "  escorted  me  up  the  Town  talking 
all  the  while,  with  the  most  palpably  wide  deviation 
from  truth  in  his  account  of  Adora  and  her  proceedings 
this  summer,  "  Been  yachting,  stopping  at  various 
watering  places  for  a  ball  here  and  a  ball  there,  very 
gay;  but  the  curious  part  was  they  had  no  ladies'  maid 
on  the  yacht  and  so  the  gentlemen  made  a  point  of 
dressing  the  ladies  .  .  .  upon  my  word,  I  was  never 
so  much  amused  .  .  .  Doe  wrote  me  word  she  had  a 
married  man  to  hook  her  gown  and  lace  her  stays  and 
all  that,  and  so  of  course  as  he  was  a  married  man  there 
was  no  harm  .  .  .in  point  of  fact  he  married  the 
sister  of  the  Hon.  Mrs.  K.  .  .  Adora  had  two  or  three 
proposals  .  .  .  refused  a  man  with  £1500  a  year  the 
other  day,  upon  my  word ;  he  did  not  suit  her  fancy 
she  said,  and  in  point  of  fact  she  declares  she  prefers 
Capt.  C.,  of  the  Dragoon  Guards,  to  any  one  she  ever 
saw,  and  he  has  only  £200  a  year  .  .  .  now  that's 

246 


'  VANITY  FAIR  " 

unfortunate  isn't  it  ?  ....  and  pray  tell  me  how's 
Brookfield  ?  and  are  you  still  in  f  .  .  .  St.  ?  Ah, 
gloomy  St.  it  was,  but  dear  me,  where  ever  you  were 
must  look  pretty,  never  saw  you  look  so  well,  upon  my 
word,"  etc. 

Mrs.  Brookfield  to  Harry  Hallam  : 

2nd  October,  Southampton. 
My  dearest  Harry, 

I  have  had  a  letter  from  Rhoda  most  strongly  con- 
demning the  wearing  of  caps  and  declaring  it  spoileth 
the  colour  of  the  hair,  and  that  it  robs  one's  youth  and 
one  will  look  back  with  a  sigh  and  a  tear  20  years  hence 
to  the  time  when  one  could  wear  hair  without  a  cap 
and  did  not  do  so.  Meantime  the  Southampton  hair- 
dresser solemnly  warned  me  2  days  ago  I  should  have 
to  come  to  shaving  eventually  and  I  had  better  do  it 
at  once  and  allow  him  to  make  me  "  a  neat  front  " 
forthwith. 

Declined  with  dignity. 

I  have  been  getting  up  at  7  every  day  and 
rushing  in  to  morning  prayers  at  8,  a  thing  I  never 
achieved  here  before,  and  which  I  contrive  to  com- 
patiblate  with  sitting  up  till  12  with  Mrs.  F.  At  10 
the  Lady  Anne  and  the  Patriarch  retire  to  their  peace- 
ful couches  and  as  soon  as  their  retirement  is  achieved, 
I  fling  on  a  plaid  and  a  bonnet  and  emerge  into  moon- 
light with  one  of  the  Doctors  to  escort  me  over  the  way. 
(Have  you  "  Gone  over  "  means  here  not  Romanising 
but  Fanshawising)  where  the  little  F.  and  a  bright  fire 
and  either  tea  or  negus  are  discussed,  the  Drs.  always 
leaving  us  for  tete-a-tete  while  they  get  a  pipe  at  home.  . 

.  .  .  There  is  a  New  "  Vanity  "  not  good — except 
the  wicked  ones — Mr.  Thackeray  has  now  got  a  2nd 
Amelia,  Lady  Jane  Sheepshanks.  I  wish  he  had  made 
Amelia  more  exciting  especially  as  the  remark  is  he 

247 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

has  thought  of  me  in  her  character.  And  on  the  plan 
of  2  negatives  making  one  affirmative,  I  suppose  I  may 
take  the  2  dull  ones  of  the  book  to  make  one  Mrs.  B. 
You  know  he  told  William  that  though  Amelia  was  not 
a  copy  of  me  he  should  not  have  conceived  the  charac- 
ter if  he  had  not  known  me — and  though  she  has  the 
right  amount  of  antiphlegm  and  affectionateness  she 
is  really  an  uncommonly  dull  and  a  selfish  character, 
and  very  apathetic  to  the  only  person  who  cares  for  her, 
the  quaint  Capt.  Dobbin. 

Harry  Hallam  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

THE  CAVE, 

Sunday,  3  Oct.,  1847. 
My  dearest  Jane, 

I  write  in  a  rapid  interval  between  Hall  and  the  per- 
formance of  an  Operatic  Anthem  and  other  parts  of 
the  Parliamentary  ritual,  which  I  hope  to  hear  at  6.15 
p.m. 

...  I  have  finished  the  Thimple  Thtory  and  was 
amazingly  interested  and  moved,  though  I  cannot  take 
so  much  credit  to  myself  as  if  I  had  not  seen  large 
moral  signposts  planted  in  my  mind  from  your  remarks 
pointing  out  the  afflicting  passages  .  .  .  but  I  believe 
I  should  have  jumped  to  the  same  conclusions  by  the 
light  of  Nature.  ...  "  Vanity  Fair "  I  have  also 
read,  being  2  nos.  in  arrear,  Pitt  Crawley  is  very  like 
my  friend  Campbell,  but  the  notion  that  Lady  Sheep- 
shanks had  any  right  to  her  name  was  indignantly 
rejected  and  sympathy  is  felt  for  the  wholly  negative 
character  of  Amelia.  Dombey  if  possible,  viler  than 
usual.  .  .  . 

To-day  I  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  sitting  at  the 
feet  of  the  Great  man*  and  partook  of  a  cheerful  meal 

*  Dr.  Thompson. 
248 


DR.  THOMPSON 

at  which  he  condescended  to  talk  about  Venise  and 
A.  Brown  from  which  he  is  just  returned,  and  about 
George  Sand's  novels,  and  I  even  thought  he  some- 
times stooped  to  smile  when  we  loft  at  his  humour. 

.  .  .  The  College  servants  are  up  in  arms  against 
me  and  make  my  life  a  burden.  I  was  much  amused 
by  a  conversation  reported  to  me  by  Mrs.  Attack, 
my  bed-maker,  purporting  to  have  taken  place  between 
herself  and  the  head  porter,  a  venerable,  obese,  clerical 
party  of  immense  dignity,  who  never  touches  his  hat 
to  anything  below  the  Master  or  Mrs. 

'  Well,  Mrs.  Attack,  so  your  master  is  not  going  in 
after  all  more  shame  for  him." 

'  Yes,  Sir,"  says  I,  "  Isn't  he  a  naughty  boy,  Mr. 
Freeman  ?  " 

"  Well,"  said  he,  "  I  tell  you  what,  Mrs.  A.,  you  ought 
to  flog  him  and  make  him  go  in." 

"  Well,"  said  I,  "  I  don't  know  what  flogging  would 
do,  but  I  think  he  wants  something  a  doing  to  him, 
I  do." 

All  which  duly  reported  as  I  was  sitting  at  dinner, 
made  the  gratin  of  souls  stick  in  my  throat  from  shame 
and  vexacion.  My  natural  horror  at  its  being  known 
why  the  Licentiate  really  professed  not  to  let  me  go 
in  was  considerably  increased  by  the  awful  manner  in 
which  Thompson,  as  if  he  blushed  for  his  species, 
remarked,  "  Your  father  almost  spoke  as  if  he  regarded 
the  College  as  something  in  the  light  of  an  eleemosynary 
foundation.  I  can  hardly  suppose  that  is  a  general 
opinion  ;  I  can  only  say  if  it  ever  becomes  so,  I  shall 
be  very  sorry,"  so  that  one's  black  blood  rushed  to 
the  tips  of  one's  fingers  and  I  burst  into  incoherent 
falsehoods. 

Gypes  are  roaring  for  the  letter.     (Forgive  idiotcy). 
Ever  your  most  affectionate 

H.  F.  H. 
249 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

witch,  please  providence,  I  don't  mean  to  change  for 
another  name  as  yet. 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

ST.  LUKE'S  CHURCH,  BERWICK  ST.,  SOHO, 

3  Nov.  47. 

At  6.0  I  began  to  wash — to  dress — boots  thinner 
and  brighter  than  ordinary  enveloped  a  foot  not  so 
huge  and  shapeless  as  in  my  daily  shoes.  A  shirt  as 
clean  and  stiff  fronted  as  Mrs.  P.  could  make  it  gave 
my  person  an  appearance  of  comparative  nattiness. 
A  cravat,  broad  and  starched,  creased  itself  into  a 
shape  of  picturesque  negligence.  Hair  brushed  into  the 
glossiness  of  a  thoroughbred  brown  and  straps  gave  a 
finish  to  the  figure  which  at  6.30  emanated  from  the 
sewer  of  Berwick  St.  Meantime  a  regular  London  fog 
had  set  in — the  2nd  only  that  I  had  ever  seen — if  seeing 
it  could  be  called  when  you  saw  nothing.  One  lamp 
in  advance  as  you  went  along  the  streets  was  only  just 
dimly  visible.  Link  boys  were  rushing  about.  I, 
however,  found  my  way  to  Chorley's — No  smell  of 
sauces — no  unusual  lights — no  briskness  of  butlers  in 
the  door — no  prompt  starched  waiters — it  was  the 
wrong  day !  Chorley  only  regretted  that  I  had  not 
come  an  half  hour  earlier,  dinner  had  just  gone  down — 
/  should  have  ordered  it  up  again  if  it  had  been  me. 
But  he  did  not  ;  and  felicitating  ourselves  that  my 
blunder  was  on  the  right  side  of  the  real  day  (Friday 
next)  I  retired  and  amused  myself  by  strolling  thro' 
the  fog. 

This  morning  has  produced  no  adventures,  save  that 
after  Litany  I  behoved  to  push  on  to  Kensington  and 
found  Thack.  droring  for  his  new  Annual  which  is  to  be 
called  "  Our  Street."  He  has  engaged  a  Governess — 
a  young  person  from  Richmond.  He  invites  us  to  go 
there  for  two  or  three  weeks.  What  think  you  ?  i.e.,, 

250 


AN  INVITATION  TO  HAGLEY 

after  Governidge  and  babes  are  arrived.  He  invited 
me  for  Friday  but  I  am  booked  for  Chorley.  He  goes 
to-night  with  the  Gordons  to  see  White's  new  play  at 
the  SadJers  Wells'. 

At  this  time  Lord  Lyttelton  is  urging  Mr.  Brookfield 
to  leave  London  for  a  change  and  at  the  end  of  a  felicit- 
ous letter  breaks  into  verse. 

Perfidious  Brookfield,  enemy  to  visit, 

Why  never  think  of  Hagley,  but  to  quiz  it  ? 

Yet  entertainment  both  for  man  and  beast, 

At  Hagley  would'st  thou  find,  perfidious  priest. 

Fare  thou  not  well  but  ill,  and  in  thy  dungeon 

Into  parochial  matters  dully  plunge  on, 

Pill  wise — though  late,  perfidious  cavern-dweller, 

For  Glent  Hill  thou  wilt  leave  Black  Berwick  cellar. 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

ST.  LUKE'S  CHURCH,  BERWICK  ST.,  SOHO, 

6th  November,  1847. 
My  dearest  Jane, 

Dinner  at  Chorley's  very  pleasant  of  course.  Actresses, 
Mrs.  Jamison,  Mrs.  Alfred  Shaw.  Old  Kenyon,  Maule, 
Miss  Chorley  and  a  Mrs.  Arnold  filled  the  octagon, 
which  was  covered  with  careful  dinner.  Artichoke 
soup,  Brill  and  smelts,  Turkey  with  white  truffles 
(a  great  dainty),  stewed  beef,  Plovers,  Damascenes  of 
unspeakable  quality,  Wines  from  Hartz  Forest ;  Cham- 
pagne, Southern  Spain ;  Ripe  Western  Portugal.  A 
shaddock  as  large  as  a  celestial  globe,  &c.,  &c.  In  the 
evening  the  two  Miss  Cushmans  came — hot  from  the 
Princesses.  The  younger  is  in  fact  a  widow  and  going 
to  be  married  again.  She  talked  about  preachers 
more  than  anything  else.  She  has  considerable  pretti- 
ness.  The  elder,  the  one,  talked  without  reserve  about 
acting.  Mrs.  Shaw  is  very  jolly  and  unaffected,  not 
pretty  but  good-natured  looking  ;  I  should  not  have 

251 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

found  her  out  to  have  been  in  silks  and  short  doubtlet 
as  a  man  at  Drury  Lane.  Her  husband  is  where  "  you 
Jane  "  will  be — in  a  maddus. 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

ST.  LUKE'S,  BERWICK  ST.,  SOHO, 
VIGIL  OF  THE  SOLEMNIZATION  OF  MATRIMONY, 

1847. 
My  dearest  Jenny, 

While  I  was  writing  who  should  come  here  but  Lord 
and  Lady  Duff-Gordon  ;  I  sent  word  that  I  was  busy 
and  could  not  see  parties  more  than  a  minute  or  two, 
when  in  rushed  both  of  them  with  their  usual  unem- 
barrassed good  nature,  they  came  to  propose  "  What 
does  your  La' ship  think  ?  " 

That  we  should  take  part  of  their  house  as  Lodgers. 

Now  the  first  blush  of  getting  rid  of  our  bothers 
about  Lodgings  flusters  one  a  little  too  much  to  see 
clearly  the  pros  and  cons.  I  entirely  take  for  granted 
that  we  should  pay  half  the  rent,  but  again  I  think 
their  rooms  are  furnished  ;  they  talked  of  our  having 
the  ground  floor  (which  would  make  a  dining  and 
drawing  room)  with  a  bed  and  dressing  room.  Rather 
scanty  this.  But  as  Lady  Gordon  suggested  a  pro- 
visionary  arrangement  by  way  of  experiment  there  is 
opportunity  of  looking  before  we  leap.  H.  F.  H.  came 
in  while  we  were  laughing  and  discussing  the  thing.  I 
said  I  would  call  to-morrow  and  speak  of  the  matter 
more  coolly.  Meantime  what  do  you  think  of  it  ? 
I  know  you  will  be  rather  excited  at  first — I  own  I  am — 
because  it  would  relieve  one  from  so  much  bother  and 
they  are  people  I  always  had  rather  a  weakness  for. 
I  am  decidedly  of  opinion  that  there  ought  not  to  be  too 
much  matter  of  course  intercourse — or  we  should  all 
quarrel  in  three  weeks  : — but  what  do  you  think  of 
paying  half  the  rent — taking  half  the  house  and  being 

252 


"  LADY  BUFF ' 

nearish  neibors  ?  They  seemed  in  high  good  nature, 
enquired  much  after  you  and  Lady  Buff  thought  she 
should  be  able  to  coddle  you  advantageously.  .  .  . 

Mrs.  to  Mr.  Brookfield  : 

SOUTHAMPTON, 

November,  1847. 

Thank  you,  my  dear,  for  your  kind  letter  to-day, 
I  value  it  very  much.  I  hope  this  may  be  our  only 
wedding  day  spent  asunder.  .  .  .  But  what  do  I  think 
of  the  Duff-Gordon  plan  ? 

I  think  it  exceedingly  kind  of  course — but  that  it 
would  be  exceedingly  imprudent  on  many  accounts  to 
accept  the  offer.  I  quite  felt  with  you  at  first,  how 
convenient  and  easy  it  would  be  to  step  into  comfort- 
able lodgings  all  ready  for  one,  and  either  to  use  them 
for  a  month  or  so  while  seeking  permanency  or  stay  for 
good  if  all  suited — and  the  house  is  old  fashioned  and 
quite  to  your  taste,  I  know — so  that  I  had  the  feeling 
of  disliking  to  say  to  you  that  I  did  not  think  it  would 
answer — because  afraid  you  would  be  disappointed. 

I  could  cordially  like  Lady  Duff-Gordon  for  a  mere 
acquaintance  and  feel  admiration  for  all  her  good 
qualities,  but  it  would  go  against  me  to  be  so  much 
mixed  up  with  her  as  to  be  living  together.  I  can't 
help  thinking  that  when  you  have  thought  it  all  over 
you  will  agree  with  me — that  you  wrote  off  on  the  spur 
of  the  moment  while  the  kindness  and  convenience 
of  the  offer  was  yet  fresh  in  your  mind.  The  only  possi- 
ble way  of  arranging  it,  of  course,  would  have  been 
as  you  say,  to  be  entirely  distinct  families,  but  I  should 
feel  a  nervous  presentiment  of  its  leading  to  no  good. 
Consider  how  very  little  we  know  of  the  Gordons  in 
private  life,  what  their  ways  are,  as  to  religious  observ- 
ances for  instance — and  if  "  Birds  of  a  feather  flock 
together  "  should  not  we  be  careful  to  know,  at  all 

253 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

events  beforehand  what  their  ways  are,  before  we  lay 
ourselves  open  to  be  set  down  as  doing  the  like  ourselves 
and  to  cause  any  "  weak  brother  to  stumble  ?  "  Cannot 
you  call  up  visions  of  cosy  little  Sunday  dinners  with 
Mrs.  Norton,  Mr.  Thackeray,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wigan  ? 
—and  I  would  not  vouch  for  your  or  my  virtuous  sense 
of  congruities  restraining  our  joining  in  such  delasse- 
ments  as  long  as  there  was  no  intrinsic  wrong  in  them. 
And  besides  all  this,  I  don't  fancy  Queen's  Square, 
Westminster,  would  be  the  healthiest  place  one  could 
hit  upon. 

My  idea  for  lodgings  would  be  very  decidedly  to 
seek  some  as  near  your  work  as  is  compatible  with  a 
freer  air  and  lower  rent  .  .  .  Margaret  St.,  for  instance, 
or  the  end  of  Piccadilly  looking  over  the  Green  Park 
but,  tho'  they  are  small  houses  they  be  also  dear.  .  .  . 
Harry  made  my  hair  stand  on  end  by  mentioning 
Chelsea  the  other  day,  unless  he  called  the  Helps' 
neighbourhood,  Chelsea  (which,  of  course,  one  would 
not  shriek  at),  but  recollecting  the  pilgrimage  it  used 
to  be  for  us  to  go  and  call  on  your  Aunts  at  Chelsea, 
buried  alive  was  the  idea  it  suggested  to  one's  mind. 

Harry  Hallam  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

My  dear  Jenny, 

Thanks  for  your  note  of  this  morning.  The  convic- 
tion increases  upon  me  that  in  the  giddy  vortex  of 
Ogle's  and  Bourne's  you  will  run  out  two  or  three 
weeks  more  so  that  I  shall  be  off  to  Malvern  before 
you  return.  The  Gordon  excitement  is  at  its  height, 
I  have  been  living  in  her  society  as  unremittingly 
since  my  letter  to  you  as  before.  The  Harrises  dined 
here  yesterday.  Mrs.  H.  made  me  the  present  of 
a  plaid  wrapper  to  keep  myself  warm  at  nights  (fact, 
I  assure  you)  likewise  has  sent  me  a  heap  of  Socinian 

254 


THE  MELTING  MOOD 

books  to  read.  Everybody  is  pretending  that  the 
death  of  Paul  Dombey  is  the  most  beautiful  thing  ever 
written.  Milnes,  Thackeray,  and  your  Uncle  own  to 
tears.  I  am  so  hardened  as  to  be  unable  to  look  on  it 
in  any  light  but  pure  "  business."  I  hope  you  are 
getting  up  a  stock  of  health  in  spite  of  the  Sno'. 

H.  F.  H. 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookneld  : 

ST.  LUKE'S, 

22nd  Nov.,  47. 
My  dearest  Jane, 

I  looked  in  on  Mr.  Hallam  whom  I  accompanied  to 
Mr.  Venables,  where  cheerful  and  charitable  Chapman 
was.  We  staid  till  twelve  and  retired. 

The  following  day  introduced  me  to  labours  which 
have  been  enumerated  on  previous  occasions.  .  .  . 
After  evening  service  I  "  cleaned  myself  "  and  went  by 
10  to  Duff-Gordon's.  Found  Tackeridge — Higginge— 
Haywarge — Tom  Taylorge — Wige  (M.P.,  Ireland) — 
Kinglake,  etc.  Duff  looked  very  handsome — said 
nothing  in  the  least  queer.  Thack  says  she  is  very 
much  improved.  Would  it  be  any  way  less  or  more 
than  right  that  you  should  write  a  few  plain  good- 
natured  unhumbugging  (and  all  the  better  if  slightly 
droll)  words  to  Buff  (8  Queen's  Sq.)  thanking  for  the 
notion  being  entertained.  It  really  was  very  good- 
naturedly  done  even  considering  also  that  they  intended 
to  benefit  themselves  slightly  at  same  time.  The 
subject  was  not  referred  to.  Then  we  proceeded  to 
Bentinck's  where  were  Horace  and  Benjamin  Gray 
and  young  Holland — and  H.  F.  H.  of  course.  A  few 
humourous  remarks  were  made,  but  time  carried  us 
to  bed.  .  .  . 

Towards  the  end  of  November  Mrs.  Brookneld  had 

255 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

one  of  her  "  wise  "  teeth  out  with — "  the  new  inven- 
tion/' chloroform.  After  pages  of  praise  of  the  anaes- 
thetic she  ends  : 

I  suppose  you  are  the  Frank  Whitestock  who 
figures  in  Punches'  travels  ? 


ST.  LUKE'S  CHURCH, 

BERWICK  ST.,  SOHO, 

27  Nov.,  1847. 
My  dearest  Jane, 

.  .  .  This  evening  we  have  a  cave  at  Mansfield's — 
Troilus  and  Cressida.  To-morrow  Jackson  eases  my 
shoulder  by  preaching  at  night  the  first  of  4  advent 
sermons.  And  as  I  only  preach  a.m.  it  will  be  quite 
a  vacation  to  me.  Marry — read — preach — read — bap- 
tize— read — baptize.  Monday  I  partake  a  little 
homely  fare  with  Mr.  Thackeray.  Leech,  Tom  Taylor, 
and  Alfred  Montgomery  to  be  there.  .  .  .  Wednesday 
Mr.  Hallam  kindly  invited  me  to  celebrate  the  birth 
of  Miss  Hallam,  the  1st  December  having  been  the 
1st  ot  her  existence.  I  was  obliged  to  excuse  myself 
by  reason  of  previous  engagement  to  parties  desirous 
of  hearing  their  native  scriptures  expounded  and 
enforced  at  St.  Luke's — but  begged  leave  to  go  after- 
wards. As  the  Palgraves  and  Phillimores  are  to  be 
there  you  may  judge  my  feelings.  .  .  . 

I  suppose  you  will  write  to-morrow.  But,  mark  me, 
I  will  have  no  such  letters  as  the  last  four  or  five. 
You  wrote  very  differently  when  you  were  in  fear  of 
Buff.  It  is  the  same  principle  as  sick  piety. 

The  Whitestock  story  is  literally  true — rather  too 
literal  to  be  very  amusing.  The  children  were  3  little 
Bo  wens  in  Bentinck  St. 

256 


Drawing  on  a  wood  block  of  Mr.  &  Mrs.  Brook  field 

Bv    11".    A/".    Theickfray   >:iir<><iucing  kis  own  pm  trait 


<  CIRCLE 


one  of  her  — "  the  new  inven- 

tion/' chloroform.    A  raise  of  the  anaes- 

thetic she  ends  : 


I   suppose    you    are    the    Frank    Whitestock    who 
figures  in  Punches'  travels  ? 


ST.  LUKE'S  CHURCH, 

BERWICK  ST.,  SOHO, 

27  Nov.,  1847. 
My  der.  ae, 

e  at  Mansfield's — 
w  Jackson  eases  my 
qht  the  first  of  4  advent 
I  only  preach  a.m.  it  will  be  quite 
y — read — preach — read — bap- 
I     partaka    a    1 
Leech 


id 

go  after- 
ire  to  be 

But,  mark  n 

I  v  s  the  last  four  or  five. 

You  wrot  .tly  when  you  were  in  fear  of 

Buff.     It  ciple  as  sick  piety. 

Th<  terally  true — rather  too 

literal  to  i  ig.     The  children  were  3  little 

•, 


BRIGHTER  PROSPECTS 

About  this  time  Mr.  Brookfield  received  an  intima- 
tion that  the  next  Clerical  Inspectorship  would  be 
given  to  him,  and  as  this  would  improve  their  prospects 
Mrs.  Brookfield  was  to  return  to  London  and  new 
plans  were  to  be  made. 


Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

ST.  LUKE'S  CHURCH, 
BERWICK  ST.,  SOHO, 

30  Nov.,  47. 
My  dearest  Jane, 

I  write  this  (as  I  opened  yours  this  morning)  entirely 
under  protest  and  only  because  I  have  occasion  to  do  so 
with  reference  to  your  return  (which  must  be  Saturday) 
— and  like  my  mother  when  she  is  forced  to  write  a 
letter  on  Sunday  shall  be  terse  and  brief.  I  believe 
I  shall  have  taken  Ebury  St.  lodgings.  They  are 
nice  enough — discovered  by  Harry — the  tip  37s. 
including  kitchen  fire,  plate,  lining  and  attendance. 
Do  not  fall  into  the  error  that  the  above  correct  spelling 
of  the  vulgar  "  Linen  "  means  lining  of  the  inward 
Jane  with  victuals — but  simply  lining  the  bed  with 
sheets  and  the  table  with  cloths,  etc.  The  apartments 
are  4,  airy  and  reputable.  I  and  H.  accompanied 
by  Maria  and  Julia  went  to-day  to  see  them. 

At  Thackeray's  last  night  Leech,  A  Merivale  (the 
third),  Alfred  Montgomery,  a  very  nice,  pretty,  good- 
natured  dandy,  sung  little  sentimental  songs  without 
any  sense  of  pill.  MerivaJe  also.  A  Mr.  Strachey  and 
self — all  very  pleasant.  But  I  must  conclude.  .  .  . 
God  bless  you,  my  dear. 

Most  affectionately  yours, 

W.  H.  BROOKFIELD. 


I7a— (2309; 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

Mr.  to  Mrs.  Brookfield : 

ST.  LUKE'S  CHURCH, 
BERWICK  ST.,  SOHO, 

3  Dec.,  1847. 
My  dearest  Jane, 

This  is  a  great  bore  and  I  am  very  much  disap- 
pointed— but  ...  I  shall  not  now  go  in  myself  till 
Monday  as  it  is  more  convenient  for  me  to  be  here. 
Alfred  Tennyson  has  this  day  taken  a  lodging  some 
50  yards  off — one  of  my  discarded  ones.  Only  for  a 
week  or  two.  .  .  .  Harry  and  I  left  at  10  o'clock 
and  found  Spedding  and  Venables  at  Alfred's  rooms 
at  the  Prince  of  Wales'.  This  morning  I  have  spent 
chiefly  with  the  same  parties,  and  am  about  to  close 
the  day  with  a  little  innocent  festivity  in  the  shape 
of  dinner  at  Lady  Newbolt's.  I  have  seen  Maria  and 
Julia  to-day  who  mourn  over  your  delay.  I  am  afraid 
you  will  be  disappointed  with  the  distance  from 
Ebury  St.  to  W.  Crescent.  It  is  \  mile  I  should  think. 
...  W.  H.  BROOKFIELD. 

Mrs.  Brookfield,  who  could  not  travel  because  of 
illness,  finally  arrived  in  Ebury  St.,  where,  with  Alfred 
Tennyson  as  their  opposite  neighbour,  a  very  happy 
time  was  spent. 

Harry  Hallam  to  Mr.  Brookfield  : 

CLEVEDON, 

VIGIL  OF  ST.  STEEVEN,  1847. 
My  dear  Brookfield, 

I  do  not  need  any  stirring  up  to  wish  Venables  sitting 
on  the  two  pill-consecrated  chairs  of  Poetry  and 
History.  How  far  the  Licentiate  can  be  wrought  upon 
to  do  anything,  I  do  not  know ;  it  must  be  very 
indirectly,  and  by  the  most  artful  bcebeeery  that  he 

258 


VENABLES  VERSUS  WHEWELL 

must  be  attacked  ;  by  proper  impregnation  of  praise 
he  may  be  induced  to  tell  Lord  Lansdowne  that 
Venables  is  spoken  of  in  well-informed  quarters  as 
likely  to  succeed  his  present  lamented  friend  and 
pilster,  and  that  the  appointment  will  probably  give 
universal  satisfaction  ;  but  he  certainly  will  never  do 
more  :  in  fact,  when  to  lose  no  opportunity,  I  plunged 
into  the  subject  at  breakfast,  I  got  nothing  for  my 
pains  but  nose-bi tings  and  snub.  1st  of  all  he  "  very 
much  doubted  whether  Smythe  was  ill."  Then, 
"  that  they  might  appoint  whom  they  felt  disposed, 
but  that  he  hoped  there  might  be  better  claimants 
than  V."  "  Then  that  he  thought  Whewell  ought  to 
have  it."  After  making  this  climacks,  he  began  to 
mollify  and  ultimately  "  hoped  Venables  might  get  it, 
though  the  world  would  ask  what  he  had  written  for 
it."  I  was  obliged  elaborately  to  prevent  the  suspicion 
arising  in  his  mind  that  he  could  do  anything,  and 
particularly  that  we  wanted  him  to  do  anything ; 
but  I  think  that  by  early  and  repeated  mention  of  his 
name  it  may  be  associated  usefully  with  the  L.'s 
current  of  ideas  on  the  subjick. 

Campbell,  the  pilling  M.P.  for  Cambridge,  is  sup- 
posed to  have  got  Maine  his  Civil  Law  professorship 
by  a  well-timed  threat  of  voting  against  the  Ministry. 
I  will  try  his  influence,  which  I  really  believe  to  be 
something  ;  but  I  cannot  well  do  it  by  letter  or  without 
seeing  him.  Milnes  and  Spedding  (via  Lord  Grey) 
will  be  useful ;  and  I  don't  see  anyone  likely  to  start, 
but  one  of  the  Apostolic  Set,  nor  any  Apostle  who 
would  compete  with  Venables. 

I  believe  we  are  boring  everybody  to  death  here, 
which  will  be  the  only  fruit  of  my  mad  desire  to  desert 
my  metropolis  and  my  Alfred  for  the  base  desire  of 
grubbing  turkey  here. 

Dinner  bell.    Adieu.  H.  F.  H. 

259 


MRS.  BROOKFIELD  AND  HER  CIRCLE 

Harry  Hallam  to  Mrs.  Brookfield  : 

CLEVEDON  COURT, 
My  dear  Jane,  Christmas  night,    11.5  p.m. 

I  want  to  indite  a  few  lines  and  fear  that  if  I  wait 
till  to-morrow  my  project  may  be  marred  by  the 
happy  inconveniences  of  Mr.  Pedder's  ecclesiastical 
arrangements.  We  have  been  spending  an  evening  of 
creditable  though  not  overwhelming  exhilaration  at 
Blindman's  Buff  with  the  Bairds  and  a  gent  of  the 
name  of  Charles  Young  of  Shakespeare  reputation. 

The  common  awe  of  the  Licentiate  works  its  usual 
effect  of  producing  silence,  which  was  by  no  means 
successfully  dispelled  the  first  day  at  dinner  by  the 
interposition  of  Mr.  D.  of  Twickenham,  who  after 
several  ineffectual  attempts  on  my  part  to  elicit  his 
stupendous  learning  (vide  report  by  Rhoda)  betrayed 
himself  into  an  expression  of  opinion  on  the  epistles 
of  St.  Ignatius — only  to  bring  about  a  withering  set- 
down  from  the  Inventor  of  History. 

I  was  amused  at  the  Licentiate's  undertaking  to 
give  an  account  of  Alfred's  poem  to  Sir  Charles,  his 
fixed  idea  being  that  it  was  tremendously  comic  and 
that  the  merit  turned  on  the  quaint  conceits  of  the 
plot.  ...  I  mean  to  carry  my  point  and  sleep  at 
Baber's  at  a  late  hour  on  Tuesday,  hoping  to  find  the 
world  still  rife  with  poets  and  dinners.  .  .  . 

By  the  way  it  is  rather  good  to  see  the  Licentiate 
falling  into  the  spirit  of  the  thing  so  completely — its 
having  been  proposed  that  Arthur  should  lead  the  way 
into  the  Drawing  room  from  the  hall,  and  that  every- 
one in  a  line  should  copy  his  proceedings — divers 
forms  of  hopping,  etc.,  took  place  and  the  Author 
of  the  9th  to  the  14th  centuries  inclusive  was  to  be  seen 
crawling  on  all  fours  all  along  the  passage.  *  j- 

H. 

260 


TENNYSON'S  HOSPITALITY 

Harry  Hallam  came  to  London  and  joined  the 
friendly  coterie  in  Ebury  Street.  He  was  present  at 
the  party  which  Tennyson  gave  and  he  gave  one 
himself  the  Sunday  after  his  arrival  to  the  "  Eminent 
bard  and  to  parties  of  the  Church-going  persuasion." 
Of  the  Poet's  party  Mrs.  Brookfield  says  : 

He  consulted  us  as  to  a  dinner  he  wished  to  give 
to  a  few  intimate  friends,  ourselves  amongst  the  num- 
ber— my  cousin  Harry  Hallam,  also  there.  The  invita- 
tions had  all  been  accepted,  and  the  day  for  the  dinner 
had  arrived,  when,  in  the  early  part  of  the  afternoon, 
my  husband  found  Alfred  Tennyson  at  his  lodging, 
superintending  the  dismantling  of  his  bedroom,  with 
workmen  taking  down  his  bedstead;  it  had  occurred 
to  him  that  there  was  no  drawing  room  for  the  ladies 
he  had  invited,  and  that  we  should  all  have  to  meet 
together  in  his  one  sitting  room  and  remain  there 
throughout  the  whole  evening.  My  husband  succeeded 
in  persuading  him  to  give  up  this  chivalrous  intention, 
and  assured  him  we  should  enjoy  the  novelty  of 
remaining  in  the  dining  room.  We  had  a  most  agree- 
able evening,  and  Alfred's  hospitable  anxiety  on  our 
behalf  was  entirely  relieved,  after  all  this  perturbation, 
by  the  landlady  placing  her  own  private  sitting  room 
at  our  service  for  the  special  occasion.  I  believe  we 
were  all  surprised  to  find  how  perfectly  everything 
had  been  arranged  for  this  party  of  seven  or  eight 
guests.  The  dinner  was  excellent,  the  waiting  admir- 
able, and  we  found  that  Alfred  had  quietly  secured 
the  best  possible  assistance  from  outside  resources. 


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